Opposition fears UN envoy attempting to influence judiciary

23 Jul, 2019

The opposition today feared a visiting UN Special Rapporteur may seek to influence the judiciary in Sri Lanka.

Opposition Parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament today that the Foreign Ministry has sought to arrange a meeting between the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of freedom of association and peaceful assembly, Cl?ment Nyaletsossi Voule and top judges in the country.

The Opposition said that the Foreign Ministry had requested the Justice Ministry to arrange a meeting with the Chief Justice and judges of the Colombo High Court.

Gunawardena said a foreigner cannot question the Chief Justice and other judges.

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the UN Special Rapporteur has also sought information on some key cases.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that he had spoken to the Foreign Ministry on the concerns.

Voule is in Sri Lanka from 18 to 26 July 2019 to assess rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the country. (Colombo Gazette)

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