Although the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had criticized the previous regime’s draconian regulations imposed under section 12 of the Public Security Ordinances that transferred Police powers to the armed forces, when the new regime does the same, the BASL says they need time to take up the issue.
Upul Jayasuriya
When asked for the BASL’s opinion on the presidential order issued by President Maithripala Sirisena on 2 February 2015 under section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance vesting police powers in the military, the president of the Bar Association, Upul Jayasuriya said; “I believe as a matter of routine this same order would have been extended. The government is barely 3 weeks old. Give us a little space we will take it up.”
On July 14, 2014, issuing a statement under the title “Sri Lanka Transforming Into A ‘Crypto Military And Authoritarian State’” the BASL said; The BASL Executive Committee meeting has gone on to say the situation has been further deteriorated due to a regulation imposed under section 12 of the Public Security Ordinances that transferred Police powers to the Army, Navy and Air Forces, covering the entire country.”
As Colombo Telegraph reported yesterday, the new President Maithripala Sirisena has also issued the same order calling out the armed forces to exercise police powers under the pretext of public security.
Colombo Telegraph Posed following questions to the president of the Bar Association, Upul Jayasuriya;
1. Is it correct that, in July 2014, the BASL released a statement condemning presidential orders issued under section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance vesting police powers in the military?
http://basl.lk/index.php/services/archives/39-editor-s-choice-blocks/139-sri-lanka-transforming-into-a-crypto-military-and-authoritarian-state-says-basl
2. The July 2014 statement published on the BASL website described such gazetted presidential orders as ‘illegal, unjustified and ultra vires’. What was the reason for stating so?
3. In the statement published in July 2014, the BASL also stated that these gazetted orders were opposed by the BASL from its inception having foreseen the ‘danger faced by the people’. Is this still the position of the BASL?
4. What is your opinion on the presidential order issued by President Maithripala Sirisena on 2 February 2015 under section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance vesting police powers in the military?
5. Is the BASL taking steps to condemn the new order dated 2 February 2015? If not why?
On February 3rd a fundamental rights application has been filed by Dudeesha Duminda Nagamuwa, the candidate nominated by the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) for the January 8, 2015 presidential election, asking the Supreme Court to give relief for the violation of the fundamental rights of citizens of Sri Lanka by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa by abusing his powers and unnecessarily deploying the army in all 25 districts at election time, under the same section of the Public Security Ordinance.
Critics say this is against the hope that we would return to civilian administration. This means he is of the opinion that circumstances endangering public security have arisen in all 25 districts, and that the police are inadequate to deal with that situation.”
Meanwhile Colombo media reported, senior lawyer and President of the Bar Association, Upul Jayasuriya, has been appointed as the Chairman of Board of Investments (BOI) of Sri Lanka. “According to sources, Jayasuriya has been appointed to the post by President Maithripala Sirisena and he will be replacing Dr. Lakshman Jayaweera.” Colombo media further said.
Jagath Fernando / February 5, 2015
Upul is now BOI chair and hence may not be in a hurry to criticize this move.
Let’s wait and see the true colors of BASL.
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thondamannar / February 5, 2015
oh !!!!!!!! Upul Jayasuriya check mated by the Prez.
Afterall Upul Jayasuriya was rewarded being appointed as BOI Chairman.
Moreover, he has SHAMELESSLY accepted the position instead of focussing on his profession working towards to clean UP THE COURTS and and SET IN PLACE mechanisms to rid of the back log of cases that are hampering the Judiciary.
Disgraceful Upul Jayasuriya, WE KNEW THAT THERE IS NOTHING CALLED A FREE LUNCH.
Hope the new appointment will last beyond June/2015.
With the economy shrinking due to much talk and witch hunting people will soon loose sight of why they voted in favour of the new incumbent.
So… the Northern Military has Police powers.Upul in slumber.
Thats when the Tamil minority will say we have been betrayed.
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Sadith / February 5, 2015
I O Sirisena !!!!
Is this called yaha palanaya
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Rev.Devil / February 6, 2015
This so called ”wonder of Asia”, unlike any other in the history of the world, has been built primarily through manipulation, through cheating, through fraud, through seducing people into their (Politicos) way of life.
I always said that they all are from the same dirty pond. Thy are vultures in white clothes… we are to see more undemocratic and arrogant things in the coming months and later.
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levi / February 5, 2015
Ha! Ha
“I believe as a matter of routine this same order would have been extended. The government is barely 3 weeks old. Give us a little space we will take it up.”
So what did you expect from the black Coated fraternity who has lived om dates from their inception. After a little space they will ask for further dates.
They will go on like this till the affected are tired. In the mean time they would have fattened themselves with the perks.
Fat hopes for justice any time anywhere.
Levi
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Jim softy / February 5, 2015
This is how all those talk big and loud.
They shut up their mouth once they get a position.
That is the sri lankan style.
Next thing we would hear will be that he had amasses wealth by stealing.
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Rush / February 5, 2015
Only naive kids didn’t know that Upul is a UNP henchmen. He has a track record of receiving lucrative posts every time a UNP government comes into power. The chairmanship of BOI is obviously given by president but all know these appointments are been dictated by Ranil. If their plans are upsetted at the June parliamentary elections they need a backup plan. Hence BASL won’t issue a word against this move.
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Renuka De Mel / February 5, 2015
Whats the big deal to BASL to say openly saying we condemn the same in principle as it is not an acceptable move toward building good governance.
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Good Sense / February 5, 2015
Upul.
You are rewarded for your good work at hulftsdorp in cleaning it up to the desires of the powers that may be.
You need the space and time to study the practical realities which are definitely beyond your realm. If there is a tug of war between Sirisena and Ranil, whose side would you take? If the Police is outside Sirisena’s control what must Sirisena do have it within him without re-assigning the Police Department under him?
Any chap knows that Sirisena did not wear a waist-coat in the Indian or Pakistani Style before being the common candidate. Any good eye would notice that it has no crease and not necessarily be made entirely out of textiles which means it can be a bullet proff vest worn externally. The odd fact is that he wore it during the Independence day celebrations giving the impression to me that he thinks he is vulnerable at that venue to the extent that he was during election meetings. So Upul, the common candidate, now elected President needs some insurance lest he is unceremoniously thrown out the way you threw out the de-facto CJ.
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Ansar / February 5, 2015
Is Upul still the President of the BAR Association? If so why is he appointed Chairman of BOI?
Why on earth will not our Political Culture change. Definitely there is a conflict of interest here. I am sure the BAR Association was making a big hue and cry when Chief Justice Shirani’s Hubby was made the Chairman of NSB. Why this double standard?
Are we all day dreaming of YAHA PALANAYA? So much hopes were pinned on MY3, what is happening. Power corrupts they say, Is this the beginning of that? I sincerely hope, it is not so.
Humble request to our New President, please arrest the situation if you are reading this. We don’t want to see you fall into the same cesspit where your predecessor fell.
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punchinilame / February 5, 2015
This may be how things are set up – that is during the 100 days all the new appointments
be made in order to direct the next electioneering strategy. Basic political moves.
Under good governance, all future appointments (eg. like the brother at LT) should be
specially vetted by two Officers appointed for this sole purpose, until the Commissions
start functioning. This way, some kind of control could be achieved in the name of
Good Governance, is a suggestion. The pros and cons of the appointee must be then
made transparent.
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Navin / February 5, 2015
Upul Jayasuriya, if you were a gentleman, you would not have been able to accept this post, after all the tom-tom beating you did for “civil liberty”. [Edited out] me for believing you. You must be one of those whose esteem is measured by the work you do like for example [Edited out] Perhaps even lower. [Edited out].
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Kumar David / February 5, 2015
This response from Mr Upul is sheer hypocrisy.
It is shameful. The Presidents action must be roundly criticised.
Shame on you Mr Upul, selling yourself so cheap for just a Chairmanship. Or is there good money in the post?
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Navin / February 5, 2015
The caste must have had something to do with it.
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Ajith / February 5, 2015
There are real concerns about some of the moves of President Srisena and its government.
1. Contradicting reports about Omanthai check points.
2. Giving police powers to Military.
3. Political appointments.
People expectation about honest good governance and transparency are very high and don’t allow fade that trust.
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levi / February 5, 2015
Dear Ajith
Contradicting reports about Omanthai check points.
The Omanthai Check Point is back to Normal. With Business as usual.
It was left unmanned for the duration of the Visits of The Foreign Dignitaries from UK & USA. They Came Saw AND THEY Are Gone. The Check Point may ont function during Mody’s Visit too.
Sampanthan Says HE TRUST THE NEW GOVERNMENT attend THE INDEPENDCE DAY CELEBRATIONS. Whilst the MARA Boycotts the Jayawardanapura Celebration.
Inelligence unit phones the Nallur Pradesiya Saba Chairman for Not Hoisting the Mational Flag. Warns him that he will be called for inquiries to Colombo.
Now it is One Month after elections. We are gradually getting back to the point where we were.
Levi
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NAK / February 5, 2015
“Are we all day dreaming of YAHA PALANAYA?”
Yes,you certainly, were, and now are!
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Rabok / February 5, 2015
Guys I am wondering why most of the paranoid commentators are silent now – I think they must show the same enthusiasum they showed before election –
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Mevan / February 5, 2015
How can you make a real change with the same pack of cards re-shuffled. We need a change of personnel as well – that is obvious.
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BBS Rep / February 6, 2015
Well, what do you expect.
This is Sri Lanka and this is the way we do business.
Lots of promises, new government is voted in, they go back to their bad ways, and the voter has once again been duped.
My3 rescued the country from a horrible Mafia, true, however the new clan are already slipping into the same old bad ways.
This is Sri Lanka and this is the way we do business.
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Sengodan. M / February 6, 2015
Giving Police powers to armed forces in peace time is a travesty of democracy which the incoming government promised to protect and promote during the election campaign!
The way things are moving one shouldn’t get surprised if the executive presidency remains unaltered. Then all the past campaign will amount to nothing but an eye wash!
Sengodan. M
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Sengodan. M / February 6, 2015
Anyone can get corrupted with little power?
Sengodan. M
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Park / February 6, 2015
It appears that Upul getting his new position at BOI has clouded his eye and mind. If an action of the previous government was wrong, its wrong when the new government does the same thing. To me it looks like “Sirisena Train” is also on the same track as “Rajapakse Train”. People did not vote for the New Train to run on the same track.
Yes its only 3 weeks old, but looking at the back tracking done by this Sirisena -Ranil government on corruption investigations, removal of Chief Justice, flip flop on Colombo Port City Project, KP’s investigation, bribery investigations etc, it feels that Rajapakse government is still in power and only Sirisena-Ranil puppets are in the seats and the strings are being pulled on them from some where else.
Did we all vote for this?
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Park / February 6, 2015
Further to my earlier comment:
If President Maithripala felt that there is immediate need for the deployment of armed forces after 3 weeks of a peaceful election, then we could argue that President Rajapakse deploying troops just before the election is a correct action as no one expected the election to be this peaceful.
Who is advising President Maithripala? Has Ranil got cornered? Has Chandrika been checkmated? Where are the other UNP big mouths, where is JVP on this, where is JHU?
Hello, is it “same as usual”? Has “Yaha Palanaya” in 3 weeks become “Puss Palanaya?”
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Leon / February 6, 2015
I hope CT will follow this up and let the readers know what Upul has to say.
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Srinath gunaratne / February 6, 2015
Where is the filthy speaking julampitiye Amare,!
I am not proud to say, I said so, because even though I openly criticised, I hoped for better change. These jobs are paid by tax payer money!
They should be filled on merit by interviews!
We need to keep agitating!
Where is Karu. Preaching dharme then.
?
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Ravana / February 6, 2015
Rouges under previous regime are being appointed in crucial posts. Upul who robbed Tractor Corporation is BOI chairman. Raving money launderer LTTE funds finance minister. What would happen to people’s aspirations?
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levi / February 6, 2015
Ravana
Let us lick the Bones that fell off the Table “Interim Budget” and be happy.
What to do aney that is our Fate.
Levi
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Mitya / February 7, 2015
The baby-faced lawyer is asking for time and I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Isn’t it now more than ever that we need to strengthen the military with police powers. Now that MR Mafia is free of the constrains of running the government they would have no qualms about creating disorder in the country. There is plenty of evidence already that they are getting ready to whip up racism to recapture power. The 4G’s (Gota, Gnanasara, Gammanpila and Gandawansa) are hard at work – with inspiration derived from some highfalutin pseudo-theorists – in sharpening their racist rhetoric.
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Dimi / May 21, 2015
It appears that all the guys who criticized one person, who acted like canibals condemning a person when he had comitted no fault should eat your words. For your information this draconian gazette was extended for the final Occassion only in February 2015 and has lapsed since then.
At least say sorry to Upul for all the unkind word that were used on him when he said “give them a few weeks”.
At last Upul has proven to be right. He has the last laugh!
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