Tense situation at Sri Lanka's Supreme Court

A tense situation has arisen at Sri Lanka's court complex in Hultsdorf between the lawyers who have gathered at the court complex in support of ousted Chief Justice and the police as police blocked their entrance to the court. Security has been beefed up at the Supreme Court in Hultsdorf with police and Special Task Force police as protesters in support of and against the former chief justice agitated near the court. Newly appointed Chief Justice, Mohan Peiris arrived at the Supreme Court Complex amidst heavy security to assume duties and members of the Federation of Self Employees gathered there to welcome the new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris. Earlier in the day, Peiris was sworn in before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, as the 44th Chief Justice. The former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake also arrived at the Supreme Court today. However, media reports said her cases scheduled for today have been moved to a different chamber. Local media reported that Dr. Bandaranayake vacated the official residence at Wijerama Road, Colombo today and left with her belongings. Meanwhile, seven petitions filed before the Appeal Court against the Parliamentary Select Committee report on the impeachment motion against former Chief Justice have been withdrawn today by the petitioners.