By Colombo Telegraph –
“The Canadian Bar Association was encouraged that The Honourable Hugh Segal raised this critical situation during a Senate debate on December 12, 2012. We ask the Canadian government to urge the Sri Lankan President, before January 8, to reconsider the current impeachment proceedings and, longer term, to adopt a judicial impeachment process which serves to strengthen the rule of law and administration of justice. We would be pleased to assist you in this regard in any way possible. “ the president of the Canadian Bar Robert C. Brun, Q.C. wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs John Barid.
Robert C. Brun, Q.C.
I write to express the concern of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) regarding the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and to offer the CBA’s support and assistance for any efforts the Government of Canada may be undertaking to investigate or address this situation, he said.
Read the full text here
S shan / December 23, 2012
The sri lankan goverment should be ashamed!!! Rajapakse has never respected the rule of law
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Safa / December 23, 2012
It always helps when international pressure is brought to bear on the Rajapakse regime. This is the only language they understand. Given their deceitful nature straight talk to the point is what matters.
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concerned / December 23, 2012
this impeachment is causing irreparable damage to the country’s name and credibility. GoSL should seriously consider about this impeachment debacle and do something to uphold individual liberties, Rule of Law, seperation of powers and work intra vires to the constitution !!!!!
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Senguttuvan / December 23, 2012
Canada has been a long benefactor of this country – the Colombo Int’l Airport being only one of the great monuments to Canada’s munificence to us. This defence of the office of the CJ of the island is a welcome one – although the present holder leaves room for much censure.
The Canadian PM’s caveat earlier on the Hambantota CWG can have far reaching consequences unless the Rajapakses have chosen to ignore it in their legendary ignorance. Kamlesh Sharma may not be sufficient Insurance to a world watching the theatrics here both with amusement and alarm.
Senguttuvan
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Senguttuvan / December 23, 2012
Correction – Please read as CHOGM (Commonwealth Head of Govt’s Meeting) in Colombo and not CWG Hambantota.
Senguttuvan
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Safa / December 24, 2012
Even Britain may boycott the CHOGM
“Despite assurances from the Sri Lankan government that those responsible for his murder would “be severely dealt with even if a ruling-party politician is involved”, no charges have been brought. The eight suspects were recently granted bail.
Khuram’s family cannot understand why, now that the police investigation is complete, things are taking so long. His brother, Nasir, an NHS project manager, describes the situation as “disheartening, upsetting” and unacceptable. “It should have been fast-tracked, and yet 12 months on, we’re not at that stage,” he says. “Something that was being pushed so quickly at the beginning is slowing down.”
The Foreign Office, which has been keeping the Shaikhs informed of developments on the island, is also urging action. It said in a statement: “The UK cannot interfere in Sri Lanka’s legal system, but we hope that a trial occurs without any undue delay to bring the perpetrators of this terrible crime to justice.”
The family’s MP, Simon Danczuk, fears “political interference” may be responsible for the lack of progress, and wants David Cameron to consider boycotting the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Sri Lanka next year in protest. “Despite assurances from the government that there would be a swift and straightforward trial, this is going nowhere and ministers and police are sitting on their hands,” he says. “David Cameron should think twice about attending this meeting while British nationals are being brutally murdered in Sri Lanka with local politicians implicated and their government is not even prepared to investigate properly.”
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Lion / December 24, 2012
Canada should take the lead to persuade all those countries in the common wealth, to refrain from participating in the common wealth meeting, which is scheduled to be held in 2013, taking in to consideration of the undemocratic conduct of this government.
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Bedrock Barney / December 25, 2012
Regardless of what individual Canadian politicians and officials say, policy as a whole with regard to Sri Lanka will be within the overall framework set by the US foreign policy officials at the state department. They will act in unison. Unlike us, they plan long term.
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K.A Sumanasekera / December 25, 2012
If the Pommie Bar Association made this demand,it can be taken on board as having some relevance on the Colombo Elite.
They helped some of the Colombo Elite to go scott free after killing even their own loved ones.
They also helped the same elite to hang a young Sinhalese from a rich but village family, by framing murder charges to destroy their commercial influence.
Both Canada and Britain should focus their energies to safeguard the South Asians in their countries who are facing grave danger from the disastrous Economic state they are in.
Going by the Greek experiences of the Blacks and Asians there in recent weeks , it won’t be too long before the racists and supremists turn on the South Asians in the EU and England in particular.
Srilanka on the other bring in money to the rural poor with the Economy growing at 8% per aanum, since the demise of Prabakaran and the LTTE which was financed mainly by Canada and Britain.
And has Canada contributed to this enviable growth which is benifiting all communities , specially the rural poor in both North and South.
What has Canda contributed to this phenominal growt and transformation?.
Sweet Bugger all, in a nutshell.
Now the Canadian PM and the British PM want to boycot the CHOGM.
The great majority couln’t give a shit, whether these PMS come or not.
After all isn’t Fiji still around, in fact in better shape after these do gooders tried to knife Commodor Barni for protecting the Indians from the marauding gangs of that Aussie passport holder?.
Aftter all , all Commonwealth leaders can’t be deaf and dumb?.
Finally where is this wealth, coming from to be common in this oerganization when these purported leaders are in debt to their eye balls?
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dicky Bird / December 25, 2012
Sans Canada & Brittain, CHOGM will move on.
However, statements containing ifs, buts, mays, should not count but be dismissed outright.
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Senguttuvan / December 26, 2012
Is Dicky Bird missing the plot here? If Britain is out then the Prima Donna of the whole bash – HM the Queen – does not come in. Some other majors like the Aussies and the Kiwis will then very likely pull out. CHOGM can then go on with Musveni/Uganda, Zardari/Pakistan and the like. That will be more like a Zombie Jamboree.
Senguttuvan
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Vishvajith / December 26, 2012
My thinking is that CHOGM will go on, with a B team participation by the British, Australia, Canada etc.
These countries, as promised endlessly by the GOSL, wants the LLRC to be implemented.
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Virajj / December 29, 2012
CBA, IC, UN, ICC, SAARC et al, we the underprivileged, oppressed, marginalized and suffering masses in Sri Lanka of all communities are terribly disappointed in all of you because you have never ever lived up to your responsibilities, founding principles and expectations! You have allowed this despotic Rajapaksha autocracy thrive and grow ever stronger without any hindrance or monitoring and as a result each and every single person on this country is suffering endlessly. What all the electronic and other propaganda machinery of the country are saying about the country’s happy state of affairs and democracy are utter falsifications! We have lost each and every right to live, we are living under the Sinhalese Prabakaran as against the Nandikadal Prabakaran! If you all and honest and have a conscience this is the last chance you get to do something and prevent complete destruction of this country. You must hold an impartial international investigation into war crimes, send in an international peacekeeping mission and allow the people of this country to establish a democratic government where all the people can live in peace and dignity. This Rajapaksha despotism must end and they must be behind bars for the crimes they committed against humanity. That is what we are expecting from you and not those various statements and post mortems.
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