The Free Lawyers organization says it is a matter of joy to have been able to defeat the attempt to remove the Attorney General from office by making false allegations and insults against him.
The organization said in a statement that its organization, which directly intervened against these false allegations and slanders, revealed the nature and background motives of the allegations to the society.
The statement further states as follows.
Start of excerpt
”In defeating this attempt, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) expressed its decisive opposition, stating that these social media attacks and protests were an unjustified interference in the independence of the Attorney General’s office, recognizing it as a serious attack on the rule of law and the independence of judicial institutions.
There had been a deliberate attempt to insult not only the Attorney General but also our organization through social media. However, it is heartening that the majority of the people have come together to thwart the attempt to remove the Attorney General.
Political parties and civil society groups have also expressed their opposition to the removal of the Attorney General a few days after the Free Lawyers organization was exposed. It is heartening that many stakeholders in the judiciary and legal fields have come to our position on this matter. We would like to thank all those who expressed their views on this matter in Parliament, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and all other civil society organizations, as well as citizens, who have expressed their opposition to this illegal act.
Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara and Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, have also explained the government’s position. We also express our special gratitude to them for acting in accordance with the rule of law.
However, it is regrettable that several foreign journalists, angered by the defeat, and a group of local people who support them, have continued to openly insult the Attorney General, the Minister of Justice, and the members and friends of our organization.
We believe that a small group should not be allowed to destroy the honor and credibility of the country’s institutional system.”
End of excerpt.