Sri Lanka Chief Justice withdraws from hearing of cases in impeachment motion

Chief Justice of Sri Lanka Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake today announced in open court that she would no longer be a member of a panel of judges hearing two fundamental rights application cases related to the Ceylinco group companies. The Chief Justice had informed the Registrar of Supreme Court to table today before her the two cases bearing Nos. 262/2009 and 191/2009 pertaining to the Ceylinco Sri Ram Capital Management and Golden Key Credit Card Company that were mentioned in the impeachment motion against her. The two fundamental rights application cases were listed in the Daily Court List of the Supreme Court for Monday under a special "To be Mentioned" category before a three-judge bench consisting of the Chief Justice, and justices N.G. Amaratunga and K. Sripavan. Questions have been raised on her sitting for the cases when she was charged in the impeachment motion for her involvement in the transactions with the two companies on behalf of her sister. The Chief Justice explained that she along with judges Amaratunga and Sripavan had taken up the two cases upon a request from the judge who was hearing the cases earlier, Justice Shirani Tillekawardena. Dr. Bandaranayake further said that she had received several letters from stakeholders of the Golden Key Company requesting a five-judge bench to hear the case. The Chief Justice announced that the case will be heard by judges Amaratunga, Sripavan and Sathya Hettige.