Government Subjugates Bureaucratic Independence to Executive Authority: Party Leaders in Joint Statement

27-Aug-2025

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By filling the intelligence service with its political appointees and bringing it under direct control, the government is undermining the independence that should exist within the administrative system and subordinating it to authoritarian rule. 

Party leaders have stated that this makes it clear that the government has no alternative measures to suppress or curb public opposition.

This was highlighted in a joint statement by political party leaders regarding the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The statement further notes:

“Today, the government has commenced repressive political actions, undermining democracy and political freedom in the country. By suppressing party leaders and activists, depriving them of independence, and curbing the autonomy of institutions like the police, the Bribery and Corruption Commission, and others, the government is compromising administrative independence.

By filling the intelligence service with political appointees and exercising control, the government is undermining the independence required within the administrative system and subordinating it to authoritarianism. Given the current situation, it is clear that the government has no other means to suppress public opposition.

Drawing a clear line between the duties of a political leader and personal expenditures is not easy. Detaining former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in remand before the completion of investigations in a pending criminal case is a procedure that undermines multi-party politics and democracy. Detaining someone in custody for a crime they cannot bail out of, without completing the investigation, paves the way for long-term erosion of the rule of law. Public trust in the transparency of independent investigations conducted by legal institutions, including the police, is compromised, raising serious concerns about public confidence in the judicial process.

We believe the charges against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe are politically motivated, designed with a flawed understanding of the law. The evidence underlying these charges was prepared by the internal control division of the President’s Office, reportedly under the guidance of activists from the People’s Liberation Front, aimed at ensnaring Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The report prepared by the President’s Office was not certified by an auditor. Therefore, its political intent is clear. While Sri Lanka has legal procedures to govern judicial operations, arresting and producing 38 witnesses in court before the conclusion of investigations contradicts proper judicial practice.

The charges related to this case were initially raised by former intelligence officers who conducted press conferences at the JVP headquarters during the last presidential election. These officers, later retired from the police, were reinstated for political purposes. Politically appointed intelligence officers conduct investigations and record charges based on politically motivated evidence, significantly influencing democratic political activity.

The arrest and remand of Ranil Wickremesinghe on charges that cannot be bailed out is a procedure aimed at undermining multi-party governance and moving the constitution toward authoritarianism. We emphasize that multi-party democracy, political freedom, and the right to hold political opinions must be preserved through proper administrative procedures. We strongly oppose this method and express our concerns. As political leaders, we condemn the entire process.”