Impeachment motion against Sri Lanka's first female Chief Justice

The impeachment motion against first female Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake was handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today, Deputy Speaker, Chandima Weerakkody told media. Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and MPs Shantha Bandara and Arundika Fernando have handed over the impeachment with the signatures of 117 legislators to the Speaker. Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has told media yesterday that
the harmony between the parliament and judiciary had been disturbed with the judiciary overstepping its role, prompting members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to bring forth the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice. Under section 107 of Sri Lanka's Constitution, an impeachment motion needs signatures of at least one-third of the 225-seat legislature before it is presented to the Speaker and the motion against Justice Bandaranayake has gathered 117 signatures. The motion is to be moved on the basis of "chief justice's improper conduct". Local media reported that the motion was approved by the President at the party leader's special meeting yesterday. Justice Bandaranayake was appointed to the highest chair of the apex court by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 18, 2011. -->