The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you. I first wish Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara well as Minister. We spoke, 15 years ago as young MPs from different parties, about eliminating corruption and ensuring justice. I, too, served as a Deputy Minister in this Ministry about a decade ago. Citizens expect us to discuss these matters positively, beyond party and colour.

¶ 02 On judicial independence: compared to many countries, Sri Lanka fares well. If issues of bias or conflict arise, applications can be made and judges can recuse or matters can be transferred. In my political career, when powerful figures sought to jail us for political revenge, we sought only the protection of an independent judiciary. I thank judges, staff, and the Ministry for maintaining a high standard despite being a developing country.

¶ 03 Regarding the Attorney-General: I sensed pressures; even the President commented. The AG has limits within which to operate. His late father was a respected Supreme Court Judge; the AG carries that professional dignity, and we appreciate the Department’s non-political, principled conduct.