Sirisena Delivers Another Scathing Attack On Constitutional Council And HRCSL: "The Child We Gave Birth To Is Turning Out To Be A Monster"

February 21, 2019

Delivering a scathing attack on the Constitutional Council and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena said both institutions had been politicized and acting with no transparency. 

Speaking in Parliament, Sirisena said the Constitutional Council had not given any reason for rejecting his nominations to the top judicial positions. 

"Some judges who have been rejected have come to me several times with appeals. I owe them an answer," Sirisena said describing the conduct of the Constitutional Council as "arbitrary". 

'I have no questions about the judges who have been appointed. I am only asking about the judges who have been rejected," he explained. 

Sirisena also added that criteria adopted by the Constitutional Council when it comes to key appointments remain vague and incomprehensible. 

Criticizing the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Sirisena said it only talked about the interests of some "serious criminals." "What about the millions of people whose rights have been violated?" Sirisena asked. 

"The 19th Amendment, the child we gave birth to, has been abused and is turning out to be a monster," Sirisena said.  "We all want to ensure that our children are obedient and disciplined. We cannot let them go off the track."