Sri Lanka parliament commences impeachment debate on top judge today
Sri Lanka parliament will commence the two day debate on the impeachment motion against the country’s first female Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake Thursday.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa is expected to make a special statement regarding the Court of Appeal determination on the Supreme Court interpretation on the impeachment motion probed by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) which found the Chief Justice guilty of three out of five charges it investigated.
Government spokesman Media minister Keheliya Rambukwella had said that the official position on the Court of Appeal determination will be made known by the Speaker in the parliament. “Even on the previous court ruling the speaker of parliament had his own stance so let’s wait for his(Speakers) ruling” Media minister told the journalist at the last week post cabinet media briefing.
The debate on the impeachment motion will be on January 10 and 11 and the vote will be taken on Friday evening. The main opposition United National Party has announced it would take part in the debate while the Marxist party opted to be out of it.
The Court of Appeal reading the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution ruled last week that the PSC has no legal power or authority to find a judge guilty since the Standing Order 78A under which the committee is appointed is not law.
However, the Chairman of the PSC that probed the charges, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa pointed out that the Constitution has recognized that upon submission of a resolution to impeach an appointed judge signed by not less than one-third of the total number of Members of Parliament, allows the parliament by law or by a Standing Order to appoint a special committee to investigate the allegations.
Following the parliamentary debate, if it is passed with a simple majority, the Speaker will advise the President of the parliament’s decision on the Chief Justice and the President will take an appropriate action based on the parliamentary decision.
According to Sri Lanka’s Constitution Article 107 (3) a top judge “shall not be removed except by an order of the President made after an address of Parliament supported by a majority of the total number of Members of Parliament has been presented to the President for such removal on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.”
A group of 117 Government MPs, which constitute more than the required numbers of 113 votes to pass the resolution, signed the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice under the relevant provision in the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament.
Source: Government News Portal
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka to compensate farmers up to Rs. 40,000 per acre for crop damages November 29, 2024
- Rajitha Senaratne acquitted and released in white van press conference case November 29, 2024
- Indian and Sri Lankan Navies seize 500kg of Crystal Meth in joint operation November 29, 2024
- Tenders open today for import of 70,000 metric tons of rice to Sri Lanka November 29, 2024
- Sri Lanka plans national strategy to strengthen industrial sector and boost local production November 29, 2024
PA dominated parliament is now implementing sharia law in the country rejecting all appeals of different sections of our society including Mahanakaya Theros, layers and all.
The real reasons for impeachment are not those mentioned in the report but revenge.
Government politicians label every issue as international conspiracy and plans of the western countries, international NGOs to destroy the country but get the money (loans) from World Bank and IMF etc and they send their children to the west for higher studies. They also go to USA for health treatments as well. This is the hypocrisy.
I feel, government will not win next election but hope our H.E president will make a good decision to resolve this problem.
CJ has to go on proven charges of corruption. CJ has to be clean as a whistle in order for justice in this country to prevail. I hope she is removed sooner than later. But procedure has to be followed according to the Constitution.
Nicholas,
Yes, we do have the follow the constitution and all political leaders including the president and MP’s have taken oaths to uphold the constitution.
According to our constitution, the Supreme Court is the sole authority for interpreting the constitution. The Supreme Court recently made an interpretation. This interpretation is not being accepted by those who have taken oaths to uphold the constitution.
So when the parliament passess the resolution on the report of the CJ’s conduct provided by the PSC and when the president approves the Parliament’s decision, SL will have a set of political leaders who have gone back on their their oath to uphold the decision.
SL will not have a legally elected President or a legally elected Parliament as early as coming Monday.
Nicholas, do you undersatnd the logic or do you intend to continue living in that world of your own?