Attorney-at-Law Hemaka Senanayake expressed strong opposition, deep concern, and dissatisfaction over defamatory campaigns targeting the Chief Justice and members of the judiciary, noting that critics are taking unfair advantage of judges’ inability to publicly respond to allegations.
Speaking at a press conference organized by Lawyers for National People’s Power (NPP) in Colombo on August 26, Attorney Senanayake warned that allowing such trends to go unchecked poses a direct threat to the entire judicial system.
Highlighting the risks of unchecked attacks, Attorney Senanayake stated:
“Judicial officers do not have the platform or ability to publicly refute allegations made against them. Taking unfair advantage of this limitation, certain groups have launched targeted mudslinging campaigns against the Chief Justice. If this becomes a accepted norm, opposition groups will extend these threats across the entire judicial framework, targeting judges at all levels.”
He further referenced statements made by senior counsel during the press briefing:
Abuse of Parliamentary Privileges: He reiterated concerns raised by President’s Counsel Mohan Weerakoon regarding a female Member of Parliament from the Matale District and several others using parliamentary immunity to make defamatory statements.
Rejection of False Claims: Senanayake emphasized that the allegations leveled against the Chief Justice are completely false and urged responsible conduct to protect the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
