Government Must Serve Citizens, Not Own the State

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for improved governance and strict adherence to the Constitution.

Rajeev Amarasuriya, President of the BASL, emphasized the importance of the Constitution as the supreme law that intersects the legal, political, and social systems.

He stated that the Constitution provides the framework for all legislation and institutions, ensuring that the government manages the state under higher laws on behalf of the citizens.

Amarasuriya highlighted Sri Lanka's extensive experience with constitutional amendments, noting that while the introduction of new constitutions ceased after the second Republican Constitution, significant amendments have been made to define the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary. He stressed that the Constitution, government branches, and legal system must work towards benefiting the population, particularly in a developing country like Sri Lanka, which needs to prioritize the well-being of its citizens.

Despite the colorful history of Sri Lanka's constitutional development, Amarasuriya pointed out that the country has fallen short of the standards of constitutionalism and development, adding that that it is not only the Constitution that has failed but also the stakeholders and institutions responsible for upholding the ideal standards.