BASL condemns Thewarapperuma’s actions, calls for disciplinary action

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today condemned the conduct of Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma, as an affront to good government and the Rule of Law.  

“The Deputy Minister’s series of act of misconduct culminating in what is termed to be an attempted suicide is unworthy of the high office he holds,” BASL President Geoffrey Alagaratnam said, in an open letter to President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Bar Association called upon the President and Prime Minister to take immediate disciplinary action against Mr Thewarapperuma in order to affirm the pledge made to uphold the Rule of Law and Good Governance in Sri Lanka. 

It noted that the failure to rein in politicians such as this will result in a “total lack of confidence” the people have in the President and the Government. 

In a separate letter, the Bar Association also called upon the government to expeditiously appoint a new Governor of the Central Bank, in order to settle the prevailing uncertainty which will have an impact on the governance of the nation.