Concern over refusal of visa to legal team by Sri Lanka

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, AUG. 20. The International Bar Association (IBA), a global legal organisation, today expressed grave concern at the Sri Lankan Government's refusal to issue visas to the members of an international delegation due to visit the country to discuss aspects relating to rule of law.

A statement issued by eminent lawyer, Mr. F.S. Nariman, who is the co-chair of the Human Rights Institute of the IBA, said the delegation was convened after the international legal community raised concern at the announcement by the Sri Lankan President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, that there would be a referendum on constitutional reforms.

It said that the Minister of Justice had agreed to meet the delegation on August 21. In keeping with the IBA's independent and impartial status and its desire to discuss the issues surrounding the constitutional debate, meetings had also been agreed with representatives of all political parties, members of the judiciary and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

Further, meetings had also been sought with the President of Sri Lanka, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Industrial Development. The delegation members included the IBA council member, Lord Brennan QC, former chairman of the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales; Mr. Justice V.S. Malimath, former Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court and Mr. Mah Weng Kwai, chairman of the Bar Council of Malaysia. According to Lord Brennan QC, ``the delegation's visit would have led to a report on the facts of the present situation. Any conclusions reached would have been independent and objective''.

The statement said the IBA had a distinguished record of undertaking similar visits to other countries, including Japan, Kenya and Pakistan. The IBA's concern was the promotion of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary as they are crucial for the welfare of the people of any country.

The Sri Lankan delegation had intended to report on matters relevant to the administration of justice and to provide relevant authorities with an opportunity to comment prior to publication. The IBA would be pursuing this matter further and was confident that the Sri Lankan Government would shortly allow the delegation entry to undertake its work.

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