The United National Party today lashed out at the government for appointing "political stooges and henchmen" to important positions in the country's judicial system. 

Referring to the appointment of Priyantha Jayawardena as a Supreme Court Judge, the UNP said it has sent shock waves across the judicial system of the country as it had been done "above the heads of many eligible candidates."

Issuing a special media statement on a matter this evening, the UNP said, "This was not the first time the present government acted in a dubious and non-transparent manner when it came to key appointments in the judiciary. They unabashedly violated long established traditions of the system and made the judicial service a safe haven for political stooges and henchmen. On the other hand, the government usurped the powers of the Constitutional Council set up by the 17th Amendment, with the implementation of the 18thAmendment which paved the way for family rule and autocracy."

"When it comes to appointments of the judiciary, factors such as eligibility, professional integrity, seniority and impartiality should be taken into consideration as the main criteria which determine the suitability of candidates. However, when considering the recent appointments in the judiciary including that of Priyantha Jayawardena it is crystal clear that the government pays little or no attention to such crucial factors and would go to any extent to handpick the “people they prefer”.

 Thanks to this arbitrary behavior shown by the government, the smooth functioning of the entire Legal System is now at stake.  As a result, the upward mobility in this system is becoming a privilege enjoyed by those who toe the line of the government. Legal practitioners with professional integrity have lost faith in the system which always gives preference to political allegiances over professional values and standards," the statement said.

The UNP also stated that there were three vacancies in the Supreme Court that needed to be filled. "One vacancy," the party said," was created by the retirement of Justice Amaratunga and it has not been filled for the last 08 months. In addition, two more vacancies were also created by the end of March, taking the total up to three. " 

"It appears that the Executive has ignored the present President of the Court of Appeal Justice Sisira Abrew and the Solicitor General Y W Wijetilake. Two months ago another vacancy that came in the wake of the premature retirement of Justice Prem Ratnayake was filled after a hiatus of 08 months with the eighth Junior person in the hierarchy of the Attorney General's Department. When making this appointment, President of the Court of Appeal late Justice SriSkandaraja and the Solicitor General were both overlooked. A few weeks later Justice Sriskandarajah passed away with a broken heart. "

The UNP accused the government of breaching long established values and ethics in the judicial service.