Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, President of the National Movement for Social Justice, has issued an announcement today (28) regarding the independence of independent commissions as well as the importance of youth and women representation.
In this announcement, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya has emphasized that after 21st amendment, the commissions should be independent and should not include unsuitable people when appointing members.
The relevant announcement is as follows.
According to the recently adopted 21st constitutional amendment, all the political parties representing the parliament as well as the civil society should focus on the need to appoint impartial and famous people who will be accepted by the society when appointing new members for the independent commissions.
We also like to emphasize that as much as we pay attention to the need to re-appoint such qualified and talented people who were among the members who represented the independent commissions that were in force in the past, we should not try to re-appoint people who have been variously accused of engaging in political party activities in the past.
Our position on this matter has been clearly stated in the past as well. We have never said that all the members appointed as independent commission members in the past should be removed. Accordingly, while we also believe that it is appropriate to re-appoint talented, renowned and impartial people who have been members of those commissions, we also emphasize that no one who has been seriously accused in the past should have that opportunity.
Accordingly, in the future, members should be appointed for every independent commission in Sri Lanka not according to the expectations and ideas of each political party or the powerful, but with concern for people who can handle their maximum efficiency for the future well-being of the country. It is also extremely important to include the representation of youth and women.
It is important that the responsible people of the country understand that it is the position of the informed and fair citizens of this country as well as other civil society movements.
Karu JayasuriyaChairmanNational Movement for Social Justice28/10/2022