The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has strongly condemned recent comments circulating on social media and other platforms relating to matters under the purview of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the judiciary.
Reaffirming that both the judiciary and the JSC are independent institutions, the BASL emphasized that the JSC—comprising the Chief Justice and two senior Supreme Court judges—holds authority over the appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control, and dismissal of judicial officers, including High Court judges.
The BASL stressed that the independence of the judiciary must be protected against external threats or interference, particularly those stemming from social media commentary, public statements, or speculative claims on platforms such as YouTube regarding ongoing cases.
Such actions, it noted, undermine the Rule of Law, threaten due process, and risk eroding public confidence in the administration of justice.
The BASL further highlighted Article 111(C)(1) and (2) of the Constitution, which contain penal provisions against interference with the judiciary, warning that legal action may be taken against individuals engaged in such conduct.
