Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), President’s Counsel Mr. Saliya Peiris has denied the accusation leveled against him by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament.
Addressing Parliament last Thursday, President Wickremesinghe had questioned why Mr. Saliya Peiris was chosen to represent the Election Commission (EC) in a case filed against a number of individuals in relation to the postponed local government elections.
Mr. Wickramasinghe pointed out that the election commission should have chosen a lawyer who is not in line with politics or a member of the Attorney General’s Department.
Responding to the allegations levelled against him, the former president of the Bar Association told the media that he was never involved in party politics and that it was up to the Election Commission to decide who would represent them.
“I am not involved in party politics. I am not a member of any political party. People who are immune from prosecution should act responsibly when speaking. Earlier also in 2020 the Electoral Commission engaged my services, it is entirely up to the client to retain a consultant of their choice,” said Mr Peiris.
