Removal of Mohan Peiris: PM to make special statement in Parliament

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament yesterday that the need to remove Mohan Peiris from the post of Chief Justice did not arise as he was not duly appointed. The Prime Minister said he would make a full statement in this connection in Parliament today.

Responding to questions raised by Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva and MP Dinesh Gunawardena, the Prime Minister stated that the government has neither violated the Constitution nor has it removed anybody from the post of Chief Justice. He also agreed to convene a Party Leaders’ Meeting to further discuss this issue.

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva raising a question under the Standing Order 23 (2) requested the Prime Minister to inform the House whether Mohan Peiris had lodged a complaint to Police, and whether formal procedure had been undertaken in the dismissal of Mohan Peiris from the post of Chief Justice.

“It is informed that Mohan Peiris, the present Chief Justice of Sri Lanka has lodged a complaint with the Cinnamon Gardens Police yesterday, stating that a person who arrived at his residence had threatened him to resign from his office of Chief Justice. Will the Prime Minister advice this House whether Mohan Preiris has lodged such a complaint? Who has been named in that complaint as the person who threatened him? Since there is a formal procedure stipulated clearly in the Constitution in connection with the dismissal of a person such as the Chief Justice from his office and taking action to dismiss the Chief Justice by other judges or other procedure which is against the formal procedure, would be contrary to good governance as well as the law, will the government take measures to prevent such occurances ?” the Opposition Leader inquired.

MP Dinesh Gunawardena rising to a Point of Order demanded that a Party Leaders’ Meeting be convened to discuss this matter, adding that it is a blatant violation of the Constitution. He also requested an interpretation from the Speaker in this regard.

(Daily News)