G.L. accuses President of undermining independent commissions

• Accuses President of reducing independent commissions to nominal entities
• Says he also has no legal authority to challenge Constitutional Council’s independence
• Stresses President’s efforts to encroach upon Parliament are unlawful

Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) member and Parliamentarian Prof. G.L. Peiris accused President Ranil Wickre-mesinghe yesterday of reducing independent commissions to nominal entities.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Peiris said Wickremesinghe does not have any legal authority to challenge the independence of the Constitutional Council.

He noted that the Constitutional Council, which plays a pivotal role in appointing officials to higher positions, has currently been subjected to the influence of the Executive. “The present Executive is encroaching on independent institutions,” he alleged.

He added that there are clear conflicts between the President and the Constitutional Council, and the President’s efforts to encroach upon Parliament are unlawful. Additionally, he asserted that the current Cabinet is merely symbolic and the executive is taking a prominent role instead.