Sri Lankan President clarifies purpose of the proposed committee to review PSC report

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has clarified that a committee proposed by him to review the report of the parliamentary select committee (PSC) that probed the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayke is part of the normal procedure followed by him regarding any report submitted
.Addressing the editors of electronic and print media during a meeting at the Temple Trees Thursday the President said that his proposal to appoint an independent committee to review the findings of the PSC and make recommendations to him was part of his duties and functions.

The President said it was usual practice for him to get an opinion on any report he receives.

"When any report usually comes to me I will get somebody to look at it tell me the facts. This is not because of an issue of the credibility of the Parliamentary Select Committee, but that is the normal process which follows," the President said.

He told the group that parliamentary procedure regarding the impeachment motion will follow.

He noted that in connection to an impeachment of the Chief Justice of the country, the Constitution states the charges should be investigated by a Parliamentary Select Committee.

The President emphasized that the appointment of the PSC and its conduct was in fully keeping with the Law and Standing Order as adopted during the previous regime of opposition United National Party and added that none of the provisions were made by the present committee.

Responding to the issue of Chief Justice still functioning as the head of the Supreme Court while investigations are proceeding, the Chairman of the PSC Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said it is in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution.