BASL reminds MPs of great responsibility to people when voting for new President

• Stresses need of the hour is to take decisions based on best interests of the country and not personal or political interests of any individual or political party

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday stressed on the onerous responsibility of all MPs to the people and serve the country’s best interest when voting for the permanent President on 20 July and not the personal or political interests.

“In electing the new President, the Members of Parliament now represent the entire electorate of Sri Lanka and must perform this onerous duty respecting the sovereignty of the People and their wishes and uphold democratic values,” BASL said in a statement.

“The need of the hour is to make decisions based on the best interests of the country and not the personal or political interests of any individual or political party. Members of Parliament must do everything in their power to prevent Sri Lanka from plunging into further chaos and to restore social, political and economic stability,” it added.

BASL made its stand on voting public since with the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the office of the President has become vacant.

It said it is now up to Parliament to ensure that the election of his successor is held without delay in terms of the  Constitution and the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981. The BASL called upon all  parties to honour the decisions taken at the Party Leaders meeting on 9th July 2022 and to act in an expeditious  manner that will restore public confidence in the legal and Constitutional mechanisms of Sri Lanka including  its institutions.

The date fixed for this election, namely 20 July, can remain unchanged, despite delays in the formal resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, since Parliament is now convened today. The BASL also noted the uncertainty which has prevailed in the country since 9 July 2022, over the resignation of the President and the appointment of the Acting President under Article 37(1) of the Constitution which should have been avoided at a time when the country has been affected by social, political and economic instability.

It welcomed the fact that Government premises have been vacated by the protesters in view of the impending resignation of the President. “As we wait for an early resolution of the present crisis, the BASL urges the public to support the early conclusion of the Constitutional process and to refrain from any acts that would impinge on the important transition of power taking place in Sri Lanka for the first time in its history,” BASL added.