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Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 05.45 GMT |
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Govt. regrets
criticism on Tissainayagam verdict
‘Comments
undermine independence of judiciary’
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The
Government
of Sri
Lanka
expressed
its
regret
over the
criticism
on J.S.
Tissainayagam
verdict.
The
verdict
was
arrived
at after
following
due
process
according
to the
domestic
laws of
Sri
Lanka,
and
therefore
does not
amount
in
anyway
to a
negation
of media
freedom
in the
country.
These
utterances
could be
construed
to be
bringing
disrepute
and
undermining
the
independence
of the
judiciary
of Sri
Lanka,
and
causing
disrespect
to the
laws
applicable
in the
country.
Some
sections
of the
international
community
have
regrettably
thought
it fit
to
criticize
the
verdict
given on
31st
August
by the
High
Court on
the case
of J.S.
Tissainayagam,
bringing
into
question
the
judicial
process
and
integrity
of
judicial
officers
in Sri
Lanka,
states
the
Ministry
of
Foreign
Affairs.
Questioning
or
criticizing
the this
judicial
action
is
misplaced,
especially
since
Mr.
Tissainayagam
has yet
the
right to
appeal
in
accordance
with Sri
Lanka’s
judicial
process
in
respect
of the
appellate
courts.
The
issue of
pardon
at the
Executive
Level
does not
arise at
this
juncture,
since
such an
option
could
only
come
into
consideration
following
all
judicial
procedures
for an
appeal
being
exhausted.
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