Parliament is supreme - Sports Minister

Ranjan Anandappa

Parliament consists of members elected by the people. Therefore, Parliament is supreme. It's powers cannot be eroded by the Judiciary or any other body.

Parliament can enact the laws and the Judiciary can interpret them, said Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. "The 225 Members of Parliament will protect their rights against any intrusion by the Judiciary. While we respect the independence of the Judiciary, we do not expect the judiciary to interfere in the Legislature.

In Sri Lanka, the Legislature, that is Parliament,the Judiciary and the Executive have to work in harmony knowing their limitations.

The Legislature should not interfere with the Judiciary.

The Judiciary in return should not interfere with the Legislature and the same with the Executive," the Minister said.

He further said the Legislature or the Judiciary have no right to interfere with the Executive.

And likewise the Executive should not get involved and interfere in the affairs of the judiciary.

In the democratic set up in Sri Lanka, the organs of governance - the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive have a pivotal role to play to safe guard the rights of the people. If these organs know their limitations, democracy will prevail harmoniously, the minister said.