A legal advocacy organization has denounced comments made by a Matale district MP about the Chief Justice in Parliament, arguing they violate standing orders and undermine judicial confidence.
The Lawyers for Public Mandate held a media briefing in Colombo to voice concerns over recent parliamentary remarks directed at the judiciary. President's Counsel Mohan Weerakoon, speaking on behalf of the organization, condemned derogatory statements made by Matale MP Rohini Kavirathne regarding information published online about the Chief Justice.
According to the legal group, the comments breach Parliamentary Standing Order 82, which explicitly prohibits discussion of courts or judges in the chamber. Weerakoon argued that permitting such violations erodes public trust in both the judicial system and broader governance standards.
Beyond the parliamentary remarks themselves, the organization directed criticism toward the opposition leadership. Gamini Nallaperuma, also representing Lawyers for Public Mandate, contended that an effective opposition should challenge inaccurate statements from government ministers rather than offering unconditional support. He expressed concern that the opposition leader's failure to publicly respond to Kavirathne's comments could be interpreted as tacit endorsement of the remarks.
The group's intervention highlights ongoing tensions between legislative conduct and judicial independence in Sri Lanka's political landscape, with legal experts warning that parliamentary breaches of this nature carry broader institutional consequences.
