The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed the impeachment motion of the Sri Lanka's Chief Justice followed parliamentary procedures that were existing for over 25 years, a ruling party minister said.
Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dr. Rajitha Senaratne addressing a special media conference in Colombo on Sunday said the procedures followed to impeach the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake have been introduced when the main opposition United National Party (UNP) government of the late President J.R. Jayewardene was in power.
The Minister, a member of the PSC which found the Chief Justice guilty of three of the five charges it probed, said the Speaker acting in accordance with the Constitution appointed the PSC following the submission of the impeachment motion signed by 115 legislators of the 225-member parliament.
The PSC conducted its investigations according to Parliament traditions and the Standing Orders of Parliament and handed over the report to the Speaker for further action.
Commenting on the notice issued by the Appellate Court to the Speaker and the PSC, Dr. Senaratne said the Court cannot issue notice on the Committee members since the PSC becomes defunct once it concludes the investigation and hands over the report to the Speaker.
Responding to the suggestion by the leaders of the leftist parties in the ruling alliance to prorogue the parliament tin order to resolve the current standoff between the legislature and judiciary, the Minister said there is no need for such an action.
The leftist party leaders were of the view that adjournment of parliament would lapse pending affairs and the move would allow the President and the government to change Standing Orders and make provision for an independent panel to probe the charges against the Chief Justice.
Minister Senaratne recommended changing the existing procedures for impeachment of a Chief Justice in the future but using the current procedures to impeach Dr. Bandaranayke.
Reminding that there were three impeachment motions against chief justices during previous regimes, Dr. Senaratne accused "some bankrupt politicians and stooges of the NGOs" of trying to create a conflict over the issue by alleging that there were failures in the impeachment procedure.
Monday, 24 December 2012
Committee on Sri Lanka Chief Justice impeachment followed parliamentary procedure - Minister
The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed the impeachment motion of the Sri Lanka's Chief Justice followed parliamentary procedures that were existing for over 25 years, a ruling party minister said.
Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dr. Rajitha Senaratne addressing a special media conference in Colombo on Sunday said the procedures followed to impeach the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake have been introduced when the main opposition United National Party (UNP) government of the late President J.R. Jayewardene was in power.
The Minister, a member of the PSC which found the Chief Justice guilty of three of the five charges it probed, said the Speaker acting in accordance with the Constitution appointed the PSC following the submission of the impeachment motion signed by 115 legislators of the 225-member parliament.
The PSC conducted its investigations according to Parliament traditions and the Standing Orders of Parliament and handed over the report to the Speaker for further action.
Commenting on the notice issued by the Appellate Court to the Speaker and the PSC, Dr. Senaratne said the Court cannot issue notice on the Committee members since the PSC becomes defunct once it concludes the investigation and hands over the report to the Speaker.
Responding to the suggestion by the leaders of the leftist parties in the ruling alliance to prorogue the parliament tin order to resolve the current standoff between the legislature and judiciary, the Minister said there is no need for such an action.
The leftist party leaders were of the view that adjournment of parliament would lapse pending affairs and the move would allow the President and the government to change Standing Orders and make provision for an independent panel to probe the charges against the Chief Justice.
Minister Senaratne recommended changing the existing procedures for impeachment of a Chief Justice in the future but using the current procedures to impeach Dr. Bandaranayke.
Reminding that there were three impeachment motions against chief justices during previous regimes, Dr. Senaratne accused "some bankrupt politicians and stooges of the NGOs" of trying to create a conflict over the issue by alleging that there were failures in the impeachment procedure.
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