By Colombo Telegraph –
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today expressed deep disappointment at the dismissal of the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma| Photograph: Akira Suemori/AP
The Secretary-General recalled his earlier statements about this matter, in particular his statement following the decision by Parliament on 11 January to impeach the Chief Justice, in which he had urged the Executive to pause and reflect carefully on the constitutional ramifications of the differing positions taken by the country’s Judiciary and Legislature.
Reiterating the Commonwealth’s profound collective concern at the recent developments and noting the deep divisions this had caused in Sri Lanka, the Secretary-General said,
“The dismissal of the Chief Justice will be widely seen, against the background of the divergence between the Judiciary and the Legislature, as running counter to the independence of the judiciary, which is a core Commonwealth value.
“I have been in touch over recent days with the Government of Sri Lanka at the highest levels and had offered Commonwealth assistance to find a way forward from the constitutional impasse. I will continue to remain engaged with the Sri Lankan Government following today’s developments. I will also consider further Commonwealth initiatives and responses as are envisaged in situations that could be perceived to constitute violations of core Commonwealth values and principles,” he concluded.
The Secretary-General will be visiting Sri Lanka in February.
Wuliangguobinjiu / January 14, 2013
Graft Indian rope trick back at its best.
Jai Hindustan ;)
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Gamini / January 14, 2013
Either you jeprodize your values or stand for it
If you are the ‘Commonwealth’ then show it
If nothing in common break-up.
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Thoufeek / January 14, 2013
Did our own leadership asked for the Indian rope?
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Wuliangguobinjiu / January 14, 2013
Anti terror part 1 was carried out by monkey moons outlaw Vijay Nambiar (married to daughter)
Anti terror part 2 with commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma
Folk you are under the remote control of AlCIAd have fun because the meeting is on for sure at meharak tota. :)
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K A Sumanasekera / January 14, 2013
Boycott Sri Lanka the failed state
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Safa / January 14, 2013
Some of the values and principles of the commonwealth reaffirmed at Port of Spain in 2009
Democracy: reaffirming our belief in the inalienable right of the individual to participate by means of free and democratic political processes in shaping the society in which they live; underlining that not only governments but all political parties and civil society also have responsibilities in upholding and promoting democratic culture and practices as well as accountability to the public in this regard; and recognising that parliaments and representative local government and other forms of local governance, are essential elements in the exercise of democratic governance;
Human rights: reaffirming our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and human rights covenants and instruments; and recalling our belief that equality and respect for protection and promotion of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights for all without discrimination on any grounds, including the right to development, are foundations of peaceful, just and stable societies, and that these rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and cannot be implemented selectively;
Tolerance, respect and understanding: recognising that tolerance respect and understanding strengthen democracy and development; recognising also that respect for the dignity of all human beings is critical to promoting peace and prosperity;
Separation of powers: recognising the importance of maintaining the integrity of the roles of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary;
Rule of law: reiterating that each country’s Legislature, Executive and Judiciary are the guarantors of the rule of law and emphasising that access to justice and an independent judiciary are fundamental to the rule of law, enhanced by effective, transparent, ethical and accountable governance;
Freedom of expression: emphasising that peaceful, open dialogue and the free flow of information, including through a free, vibrant and professional media, enhance democratic traditions and strengthen democratic processes;
7. We reaffirm our full support for the Good Offices role of the Secretary-General in supporting adherence to Commonwealth principles; in conflict prevention and resolution; and as an instrument to protect and promote the Commonwealth’s fundamental values.
10. We underscore the importance of coherence in order to protect the Commonwealth’s image and credibility. We urge all Commonwealth organisations to subscribe and adhere to Commonwealth values and principles in every possible way, including by acting in conformity with the letter and spirit of the decisions of CMAG..
It is clear that now the govt has violated several of these principles and has effectively stepped outside the pall of the commonwealth. So is there any point in having the CHOG meeting here or appointing the biggest culprit MR as head of the CHOG for the next term.
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Safa / January 14, 2013
Correction – Pale not Pall.
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kalana / January 14, 2013
Safa, exactly! Please someone write to this Commonwealth joke indicating their founding principles and various commitments adopted from time to time alongside the accounts of actual happenings here. Since what took and takes place here is an unprecedented chain of events I am sure these Commonwealth people will be compelled to do something, at least they will think of testing whether their machine is running!!!!
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James Bond / January 14, 2013
The Commonwealth of CLOWNS is an OBSOLETE and morally repugnant institution which should be SHUT DOWN for supporting AND encouraging DICTATORS like Mahinda Rajapassa in the DEBACLE OF ASIA. This organization is a COMMONWEALTH OF CORRUPT CLOWNS HEADED BY this joker Sharma and the Indian mafia..
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Group of clowns met in Colombo in 2012, to boost Rajapakse’s ego after which he decided to impeach the CJ!.
Aleluja!
During that time the regime;s hideous security apparatus was on display to intimidate people in the city of Colombo where residents were under a lock down while Gota the white van goon displayed his anti-people security apparatus under the guise of providing SECURITY to the COMMONWEALTH OF CLOWNS OF the PARLIAMENTARY GROUP MEETING! What a circus CHOGM 2013 promises to be if held in Lanka. The Sri Lankan SPRING will make the COMMONWEALTH OF CLOWNS meeting in Colombo in 2013 a CIRCUS LIKE NO OTHER. TAKE NOTE MR SHARMA!
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Lankika / January 14, 2013
Its time for the Commonwealth Org to cancel the November conference in Sri Lanka.
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Nirosh / January 14, 2013
Hon. Kamalesh Sharma,
You people, the Commonwealth, UN, UNHRC etc. are a waste and shame on humanity! You know why? Do you want to know why this has happened to you and why the entire populations except bureaucrats and politicians hate you? It is because of the language you use!!! The moment we notice this stereotyped, hackneyed and bulldozer-like words which no practical man uses we know the output-nothing will happen!!! Aren’t you ashamed of you of living such a life out of tax payers’ money yet doing nothing to give meaning and life to the founding principles of your organization? Let me rephrase your terrible sentence when a practical ordinary man who is going to do something says it:
“During the next week I will take the steps that are within my mandate and that I am required to take when a member country has breached its promises and obligations under the Commonwealth Agreement.” So simple and so practical!
Anyway, coming back to your favorite rigmarole can you please set an example, a precedent by speedily informing and implementing these “further Commonwealth initiatives” because if you do not act now there is no raison d’etre for your organization and better dissolve it than ridiculing the suffering masses!
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Nirosh / January 14, 2013
Sorry,
I have missed out the first paragraph of my previous comment which is a quote from Mr. Kamalesh Sharma which I am attaching below:
“.. I will also consider further Commonwealth initiatives and responses as are envisaged in situations that could be perceived to constitute violations of core Commonwealth values and principles..”
Regret any inconvenience caused.
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Senguttuvan / January 14, 2013
Not just the controversial impeachment but the virtual gherao of the official residence of the CJ; unleashing drunken, violence-prone menacing thugs with established connections to Govt Ministers; carrying rods and other lethal instruments with such impunity before TV cameras of local and foreign media, are messages the regime has no respect for law and order unless it is in their interest.
The only justification of the regime favourite Kamlesh Sharma in continuing with the H’tota CHOGM will be the lack of time to assemble the necessary logistics in a different venue.
Senguttuvan
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Amila / January 14, 2013
I too agree with the content of your first paragraph. The international community must take note of it as well.
As for time constraint I don’t think in the modern world there would be any problem in finding a suitable venue for holding this event. Besides this is not a forum where they take important and lifesaving decisions for the people! They go there as if they go on a picnic or a shopping tour. Suppose during the time when the event is to be held here there would be an outbreak of cholera, malaria, diarrhea, a flu epidemic or a natural disaster like an earthquake! Then will they still come here and hold this summit? Bullshit! Please cancel this event for this year or take it to somewhere! If they still adamantly decide to come here I think these mutts must be taught a good lesson and the Sri Lanka Spring must start the day this farce starts and they all must be chased away from the country!!!
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Wuliangguobinjiu / January 14, 2013
WHICH NATION IS NEITHER TRANSPARENT NOR ACCOUNTABLE INDIA NOR SRI LANKA?
MANY OF THE OCCUPY WALL STREET PROTESTERS HAVE GONE MISSING.
NEW WORLD ORDER by AlCIAd.
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tony francis / January 14, 2013
A miracle Mr Sharma! Your perception of other’s conception is absolutely spot on. Now will it change after a few visits to the hosptable Colombo?
tony francis
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Wuliangguobinjiu / January 14, 2013
Idi Amin expelled the Indians British passports because they move the goal post for personal gain.
Little surprise then why this can’t do won’t do Sharma Ji is after much damage is complete.
Even god won’t help you unless you help yourselves by doing the patriotic poo.
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Citizen / January 14, 2013
When Sri Lanka has failed to share the Commonwealth values which was assured by Sri Lanka last time, why can’t Sri Lanka be struck out from the Commonwealth membership. Judiciary cannot be expected to dance to the tune of an insane government that leans towards China and Iran and bring disgrace to the Commonwealth.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 15, 2013
Commonwealth Heavy Weight and Mr Sharma’s superior, the Hon PM of Canada Mr Harper has already demanded that President Rajapaksa reinstate the ex CJ.
With CHOGM around the corner, our Prez must be shitting bricks now.
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vishvaith / January 15, 2013
Srilanka and it’s High Stakes Game with the rest of the world and it self.
Little Lanka, showed the finger to the UN and now the Commonwealth.
Little Lanka, punching way above it’s weight, taking all of us along with it.
CHOGUMers wll come to H’Tota like worms. It’s a Free Trip.
We are like Israel, who don’t give a damn. We are the Miracle of Asia. Yes!
After all we are doing everything ” democratically “, with blessings from the Ven. Sangha.
Yeah! Go Democracy. Sigh!
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Bensen Berner / January 16, 2013
He is the only corrupt person to have occupied this coveted position, a disgrace to the commonwealth.Go no further look at the disgraceful manner in which the Commonwealth Games were held in India
berner
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The Professional / January 16, 2013
He is talking like the fund manager of bankrupt commonwealth.
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AYMAN / January 20, 2013
MERE STATEMENT CONDEMNING WILL NOT DO.
SRI LANKANS WANT ACTION.CRYING FOR JUSTICE
FIRST THE SHIFTING OF THE NEXT “CHOGM” TO ANOTHER COUNTRY-
NEXT “KICK-OUT” SRI LANKA FROM COMMONWEALTH
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