An intense parliamentary debate erupted in parliament yesterday (20) over allegations of government intimidation after the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) cancelled a scheduled meeting with lawmakers regarding proposed constitutional changes.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised the issue in Parliament following remarks made by Chief Government Whip Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.
The Opposition leader said that intimidating language from government members forced the BASL to withdraw from the planned discussions on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and the ongoing vacancies in the Supreme Court.
He said that the right to free expression is guaranteed by the Constitution and insisted that equal treatment must be afforded to all citizens, including representatives of legal bodies.
The Opposition Leader clarified that his involvement in arranging the meeting was purely in the capacity of a facilitator rather than a personal initiative, noting that official records in the Hansard confirm the formal invitations extended to legal representatives.
He urged the Speaker of Parliament to intervene actively and facilitate a rescheduled dialogue with the legal fraternity, while calling for an end to misleading reports regarding the cancellation.
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