The apex court recommended the PSC to defer its probe on Chief Justice until the court determines the constitutionality of the procedure according to the Article 107 (3) of the Constitution, which deals with the impeachment of a judge. The 11-member PSC comprising 7 government and 4 opposition legislators has summoned the Chief Justice to show cause regarding the charges against her tomorrow at the parliamentary complex. However, the PSC will convene tomorrow as scheduled, the Deputy Speaker of parliament Chandima Weerakkody has told the media. A Supreme Court bench comprising justices Nimal Gamini Amaratunga, K. Sripavan and Priyasath Dep issued this recommendation to the Speaker of parliament and the PSC when it took up four petitions which were originally filed in the Court of Appeal seeking a writ order to suspend the impeachment proceedings. The four petitions forwarded to the apex stated that the PSC does not have the power to investigate the impeachment against the Chief Justice and the PSC was unconstitutional. The Appeal Court had referred the cases to the Supreme Court for an interpretation on the constitutionality of the PSC. The Supreme Court has however rejected the plea for issuing a writ order saying that concordance between the countries judiciary and legislature should be preserved. The apex court has also directed the Attorney General to appear before the court today since his views are also needed to be considered to decide on the petitions. The country's first female Chief Justice is charged with 14 counts including failing to adequately declare her assets, improper conduct, misusing power and influencing the process of delivery of justice. The government's move to impeach the top judge has drawn concern internationally from the Commonwealth, the United States and the European Union.
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