Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court Lawyers Association (CHCLA) has vehemently criticised Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, alleging that his recent public statement undermines the pivotal role of defence lawyers and compromises the integrity of the judiciary.
The CHCLA asserted that safeguarding the rights of suspects, irrespective of the charges levied against them, is an intrinsic constitutional entitlement enshrined in Article 13, which guarantees due process.
The association contended that the Minister’s statement unfairly singles out defence lawyers, erroneously attributing their endeavours to protect clients to personal deficiencies rather than recognising their commitment to their professional obligations.
Furthermore, the CHCLA highlighted the Minister’s omission of addressing systemic issues within the Sri Lanka Police, including allegations of corruption, characterising such oversight as disingenuous and detrimental to the overall integrity of the legal system.
The statement from the CHCLA robustly upholds the independence and impartiality of judges, underscoring their unwavering commitment to upholding the law and dispensing justice in an unbiased manner.
The Colombo High Court Lawyers Association urged the Minister to refrain from making statements that impede the legal profession’s ability to discharge its duties as outlined in the Constitution.
Emphasising the significance of preserving justice, fairness, and the rule of law, the CHCLA warned that any impediment to the work of legal professionals has the potential to undermine the foundational principles of a democratic society.
