Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today (13 January) expressed deep disappointment at the dismissal of the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka with Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at Marlborough House, London, after the first consultation of the Commonwealth mini summit on ‘Reforming International Institutions’, 9 June 2008

The Secretary-General recalled his earlier statements about this matter, in particular his statement following the decision by Parliament on 11 January to impeach the Chief Justice, in which he had urged the Executive to pause and reflect carefully on the constitutional ramifications of the differing positions taken by the country’s Judiciary and Legislature.

Reiterating the Commonwealth’s profound collective concern at the recent developments and noting the deep divisions this had caused in Sri Lanka, the Secretary-General said: “The dismissal of the Chief Justice will be widely seen, against the background of the divergence between the Judiciary and the Legislature, as running counter to the independence of the judiciary, which is a core Commonwealth value.

“I have been in touch over recent days with the Government of Sri Lanka at the highest levels and had offered Commonwealth assistance to find a way forward from the constitutional impasse. I will continue to remain engaged with the Sri Lankan Government following today’s developments. I will also consider further Commonwealth initiatives and responses as are envisaged in situations that could be perceived to constitute violations of core Commonwealth values and principles,” he concluded.

The Secretary-General will be visiting Sri Lanka in February.

“The Commonwealth, collectively, is profoundly concerned about this situation” – Kamalesh Sharma

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has urged the Sri Lankan Government to pause for further careful consideration following the passage by the country’s Parliament today of the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

“The impeachment of a Chief Justice is a very serious matter. In this particular case, it has called into question aspects of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

“The Commonwealth, collectively, is profoundly concerned about this situation.

“I strongly urge that time be taken to reflect and consider fully the constitutional and other ramifications of the differing positions taken by the Judiciary and Legislature before any decision is taken by the Executive on the impeachment of the Chief Justice.

“I have been in touch with the Sri Lankan Government at the highest levels to offer Commonwealth assistance to find a way forward. I recognise that this is a matter for Sri Lanka, but am also conscious of our shared Commonwealth values and principles, to which Sri Lanka and all member governments have subscribed,” the Secretary-General said. – thecommonwealth.org