SLPP promises to strengthen Independent Commissions

• Says the Govt. failed to assure independency of Commissions
• Claims Independent Commissions under political influence

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said they will take necessary legal steps to strengthen the Independent Commissions to be more productive and trustworthy.

Following the 19th Amendment, 10 Independent Commissions were established, and the Constitutional Council holds the power to give recommendations as to who is to be appointed by the President to the high level positions.

Speaking to media at the SLPP Head Office, Parliamentarian Indika Anuruddha said Independent Commissions had become dormant under the incumbent government.

“The Government had promised so much from the Independent Commissions but failed to deliver what they promised. Therefore their attempt to create confidence among the people about Independent Commissions was not successful,” Anuruddha said.

He said people had started to question the independence of the commissions. According to Anuruddha, the National Police Commission’s functioning had created doubts about its transparency, which need to be addressed to prevent a breach of trust among the public.

He charged most of the Independent Commissions had to work under political influence, which had dominated its functions that failed the goal of forming Independent Commissions. 

“An impartial and fair investigation has not been carried out into the Easter Sunday attacks because of the politics in Independent Commissions. This is why even Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith kept urging for a fair investigation. Therefore the goal of establishing Independent Commissions has not been achieved, which cannot be taken lightly,” he charged.

Anuruddha said under their government, they would take a step further to give more independence to the Commissions to function more productively and regain public trust.

“The key is to keep politics away from Independent Commissions. We will make sure that officials in Independent Commissions get the freedom to work independently without any political interference.”

He claimed the tussle between the Executive and Legislature led to Independent Commissions coming under political pressure that undermined their functions. Therefore only a new government will be able to re-establish the independence of the Commissions and all State institutes.