New Chief Justice of Sri Lanka pledges to uphold dignity of judiciary

Former Attorney General Mohan Peiris who swore in as the 44th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka assumed duties Tuesday pledging to uphold the independence and the dignity of the judiciary.
The new Chief Justice, who was appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday following a bitter impeachment process of his predecessor, pledged to maintain the highest standards of judicial integrity for the benefit of the people.

Mohan Peiris, a Christian, received blessings from clergy of all faiths before assuming office.

Thanking the members of the Bar and judicial officers for the welcome accorded to him, Peiris requested their support and cooperation in his endeavor to maintain the highest standards of the courts, and the justice system.

Although the Bar Association of Sri Lanka has accepted Peiris, a 38-year veteran of the legal profession and an eminent scholar of law, as the new Chief Justice and agreed to work with him, Lawyers Collective, an organization of lawyers has urged all Supreme Court judges not to accept his appointment.

Peiris, who has served as a senior state counsel, attorney general and legal adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers, has defended Sri Lanka's sovereignty against the interference from international community at the United Nations Human Right Council.