Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for long-term constitutional reforms anchored in judicial independence and the rule of law to ensure democratic stability across changes in government.
Following discussions with Commonwealth Lawyers Association President Steven Thiru at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo yesterday (03), Premadasa said that state structures must remain credible regardless of which political party holds power.
He stressed that institutional design should prioritize citizen security rather than serve the short-term interests of sitting governments or opposition parties.
The Opposition Leader said that Sri Lanka could evaluate the long-term necessity of a dedicated Constitutional Court or a specialized constitutional review mechanism without interfering in active judicial proceedings.
The composition, appointment process, and authority of any new judicial entity would require careful planning alongside its relationship with the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, he noted.
During the discussion, the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles were highlighted as a vital international benchmark when evaluating the separation of powers among Parliament, the Executive, and the Judiciary.
The meeting also addressed the environmental rule of law, with Premadasa referencing policy commitments under Section 14 of the Environmental Charter 2.0 presented during the 2024 presidential election to set up a specialised environmental court or tribunal, expressing interest in studying Commonwealth models to strengthen environmental justice and dispute resolution.
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