Respect democratic principles: UK tells Lanka

Britain has added its voice to growing international concerns about the decision of the Sri Lankan Government to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, saying the proceedings appear to contravene basic principles of fairness, due process and Commonwealth values.

Releasing a statement, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom called on the Sri Lankan Government to respect democratic principles and safeguard the Chief Justice and the legal profession.

The release quoted a Foreign Office Spokesperson as saying that Britain shares the concerns already expressed by many people in Sri Lanka both over the process and related reports of intimidation of members of the Bar Association.

 “The motion to impeach the Chief Justice runs contrary to the clear rulings of Sri Lanka’s highest courts and the proceedings appear to contravene basic principles of fairness, due process and respect for the independence of the judiciary and the Commonwealth Latimer House Principle,” the statement quotes the spokesperson saying.

 “Together with our international partners, we call on the Sri Lankan Government to respect democratic principles and the right to peaceful protest and to ensure the continued safety of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake,” the statement from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.