Judging judges 

December 22, 2013,

Let me begin by first thanking you for the well informed, persuasive and balanced views expressed in your editorial of the 12 th Dec.2013. You have correctly stressed the importance of an independent judiciary which would go a long way in restoring confidence and faith in it-for fact that even the illiterate villager is aware of. The general perception is that judgements are given out of fear of consequences if they fall foul of political authorities.

As the impartiality of our judges today is such a rare quality civic minded citizens are deeply concerned about our standing in international fora where matters of justice and fairplay are discussed.

The knee jerk reaction to MP Mr. Wijedasa Rajapakshe’s suggestion to adopt the Latimer House principles in case of disciplinary procedures against high ranking judicial officers is in itself an expression of paranoid feelings engendered within the government ranks by their own erratic conduct in relation to judicial matters.

Now the GoSL is bestowed with an excellent opportunity to rectify the earlier mistakes of omission and or commission and earn a good name by adopting the Latimer House principles. It will be a lasting legacy left by President Mahinda Rajapaksa for all the peoples of the Commonwealth when a transparent unambiguous and independent mechanism is established for adjudication of judges’ disciplinary matters.

This type of far sighted action will also detract from those who are targettng Sri Lanka through the UN’s Human Rights Commission.

Let us hope that saner counsel prevails and that a free and fair discussion of MP Wijedasa’s private member’s bill will take place in our parliament.

N. Amarasekera
Colombo