Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena has warned that a country can be destroyed not only by natural disasters, but also by a weak or ineffective judiciary.
Addressing newly recruited Magistrates at the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute on Wednesday (July 1), the Chief Justice said the consequences of a bad judiciary could be devastating.
“A country can be devastated and destroyed not only by a natural disaster. A country can also be destroyed by a bad judiciary, in less amount of time. If that happens, no international donor or no international help will recover the country. Because the cause is such, the reasons are such, the devastation is so high.”
Speaking on the legal profession, he stressed that lawyers are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest professional standards.
He noted that only individuals with good character, competence and knowledge are eligible to be enrolled as Attorneys-at-Law, adding that maintaining those standards is a continuing responsibility throughout their careers.
The Chief Justice also highlighted the judiciary’s constitutional role, explaining that the sovereignty of the people consists of executive power, legislative power, judicial power and the franchise.
Addressing the newly appointed Magistrates, he reminded them that judicial authority is derived from the people.
“We are the third, the judicial power. You, as judges, exercise the judicial power of the people. You don’t bring that power from your home. Nor do we give you that power. It is not the Judicial Service Commission that gives you power. The people give you that power, for the benefit of the people. That has to be borne in mind,” he said.