The Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights (CHR) and Research Sri Lanka Rajitha Keerthi Tennakoon stated that members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) must revere the right of citizens to question and condemn the judicial service. 

Rajitha Tennakoon expressed his views following Chairman of the BASL U.R. de Silva stating that the BASL will take legal action against Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake for his statements condemning several attorney’s for alleged corruption.   

According to the Executive Director, any profession existing within the country will have allegations levied against it. It was also stated that the existence of corrupt practitioners in any field of work is commonplace. 

Therefore in his view, attorneys also should possess the fortitude to tolerate criticism levied against them as freedom of speech is a fundamental right of all citizens.  
     
Rajitha Tennakoon cited several previous instances where legal practitioners were publicly criticized. The condemnation of Judge Lenin Ratnayake, Justice Gamini Abeyratne and former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva were mentioned.

The Director further questioned as to how the sentiments expressed by the Deputy Minister can be extremely appalling, considering the fact that there have been several other high profile statements and cases defaming the judiciary made by differing parties.     
 
It was also mentioned that to maintain a respectable and liberated society, that has reverence for the courts, rash acts should not be committed against citizens simply expressing their opinion over the judiciary.