-Young Journalists' Association writes to the Justice Minister
(Lanka-e-News -12.Feb.2025, 8.20 PM) The government has proposed an expert committee to draft the basic framework for establishing an Independent Prosecutor’s Office. However, the Young Journalists' Association claims this expert committee is unbalanced. They have submitted an acceptable proposal for this. They pointed this out in a letter sent to the Justice Minister. The full letter is provided below.
Mr. Harsha Nanayakkara,
Minister of Justice and National Integration,
Ministry of Justice and National Integration,
No. 19, Sri Sangaraja Mawatha,
Colombo 10.
Honorable Minister,
A highly concerning situation has arisen regarding the department after the Attorney General decided not to pursue legal action against three suspects in case number 92/2009 at the Galkissa Magistrate’s Court, related to the murder of The Sunday Leader editor, Attorney Lasantha Wickrematunge. During public discourse on the ‘conflict of interest’ caused by having the government’s legal advisor prosecute cases, we highlighted these issues.
Accordingly, we, as the Young Journalists' Association, appreciate the government’s decision to move forward with the proposal to establish an Independent Prosecutor’s Office, as mentioned in the National People's Power policy statement.
Your Ministry announced yesterday (11th) that an expert committee will be appointed to draft the basic framework for establishing the Independent Prosecutor’s Office. However, it is apparent that the proposed committee lacks balance. Two representatives from the Attorney General’s Department are included, and another member is the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, who previously served in the Attorney General’s Department for a long period. Thus, it is evident that this committee is unbalanced.
Therefore, we request that when appointing the relevant committee, you consider the following proposals to form an independent and balanced composition:
1. Appoint a university professor with substantial legal knowledge as the chairperson of the committee.
2. Include one officer from the Attorney General’s Department, either the Attorney General or someone nominated by them.
3. Include the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice.
4. Include a representative from the Department of Legal Draftsman.
5. Include a lawyer nominated by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
6. Include a lawyer with substantial knowledge of criminal cases, but not nominated by the Bar Association.
7. Include a senior administrative officer with extensive knowledge of public service.
8. Include a senior judge who has served from the Magistrate’s level up to the Supreme Court and possesses significant knowledge on the subject.
9. Include a High Court judge.
10. Include a civil activist with knowledge and interest in this matter.
We further propose that discussing with the involved and relevant parties and seeking their suggestions when appointing such an independent and balanced committee is essential for ensuring the committee’s transparency and stability.
Thank you.
Tarindu Jayawardena – Chairman
M. F. M. Faseer – Secretary
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by (2025-02-12 15:00:32)
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