22A: BASL decides against making written submissions after SC refuses to grant it right of reply

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has informed the Supreme Court that it would not tender written submissions in respect of the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which were heard on September 1 and 2.

The BASL said it had initially decided not to make written submissions after being deprived of the right of reply when the Solicitor General, appearing for the State, made submissions and explained the rationale and justification for the Bill.

The BASL pointed out that the Solicitor General, who made submissions at the end of the second day of the hearing, had not made a policy document available to the petitioners.

It also said the petitioners had not been given an opportunity to respond orally to the Solicitor General’s submissions or to address the Court on certain questions raised by the judges during their exchanges with the Solicitor General. (SF)