The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is calling upon all Members of Parliament (MPs) to urgently rise above their narrow political differences and resolve the present political and economic instability.

“There is a dire need for Sri Lanka’s politicians – both in Government and the Opposition, as a matter of utmost urgency, to rise above their narrow political differences and vested interest and to arrive at a solution acceptable to the people and other stakeholders to extricate Sri Lanka from the present political and economic instability,” BASL said in a statement. 

“This will restore confidence in Sri Lanka’s trading partners and prospective investors and potentially reverse any adverse travel advisories on the country and help assuage the foreign currency crisis. The country and its people cannot wait for weeks and months for the initial issues of governance to be resolved,” the statement issued by BASL President Saliya Pieris PC and Secretary Isuru Balapatabendi said.

BASL also called upon the President and the Members of Parliament, both in Government and the Opposition, to act as Statesmen in the country’s hour of need.

Following is the full text of BASL statement. 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is gravely concerned of the current political and economic  instability in Sri Lanka which imperils the country. If these twin crises are not immediately addressed in a few weeks, if not a few days, Sri Lanka’s economic and democratic structures will be irreparably harmed. 

This could result in the further depreciation of the rupee and the country running out of fuel,  electricity and lifesaving medicine. There is also a grave danger of food shortages. Needless to say, this will lead to further public unrest and will result in a total breakdown of law and order.

The BASL notes that at a time urgent decisions need to be taken on the economy and credible discussions need to be underway with international and multilateral institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, the country is without a proper Government – with only the President, Prime Minister and a handful of Ministers holding office. 

A Finance Minister or Secretary to the Treasury has not been appointed up until now and a number of critical Ministries such as Health and Energy are without Ministers.

The public sees no serious attempt on the part of either the Executive or Legislature, including important sections of the Opposition in Parliament, to arrive at a resolution to the present crises. The Members of Parliament must bear in mind that they are the custodians of public finance in the country and that they cannot abdicate this responsibility. The last two days of parliamentary debate have not helped public confidence in our democratic structures.

BASL is strongly of the view that any solution to the present crisis has to be found within the framework of the democratic constitutional structure. Any solution outside the framework of the Constitution will lack legitimacy and would be open to challenge within the legal system. 

Sri Lanka needs to take a cue from other countries where economic and political instability was manifested by a collapse of the most basic public services; persistent and debilitating internal political discord; and mass brain drain and, the poor and the middle class, were compelled to carry the main burden of the crisis.

In these circumstances there is a dire need for Sri Lanka’s politicians – both in Government and the Opposition, as a matter of utmost urgency, to rise above their narrow political differences and vested interest and to arrive at a solution acceptable to the people and other stakeholders to extricate Sri Lanka from the present political and economic instability. 

This will restore confidence in Sri Lanka’s trading partners and prospective investors and potentially reverse any adverse travel advisories on the country and help assuage the foreign currency crisis. The country and its people cannot wait for weeks and months for the initial issues of governance to be resolved.

The BASL calls upon His Excellency the President and the Members of Parliament, both in Government and the Opposition, to act as Statesmen in the country’s hour of need.

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