By Colombo Telegraph –
“There is a judges meeting on 3rd December in Colombo. The Government is planning several strategies to counter it and sabotage any unity among the judges. You would have no doubt seen the mudslinging campaign today in state media suggesting that there is a conspiracy in courts- including breaking news and statements by government politicians.” says the Lawyers Collective against the impeachment.
There is a conspiracy
According to the Lawyers Collective the following have been finalized and will be carried out tomorrow;
Several organised protests are scheduled in various areas over delay of cases due to judges having to attend a JSC meeting tomorrow (3rd Decmeber) suggesting that there is a conspiracy. Having copious mudslinging state media. One minutes trailers to be run with statements by Ranil Wickramasinghe etc. justifying “Parliament’s impeachment power” saying we report you decide. Sending text messages using politically connected judges to independent judges to discourage their presence for the 3rd December meeting.
“Let us not be discouraged, will coninue the struggle until we defeat the politically motivated impeachment against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.” Lawyers Collective further says.
*Photo courtesy Times/ Namas Bhojani
Jayantha / December 2, 2012
I think Judges are pretty much well educated, honest and people with integrity where MR cannot deceive easily and will find difficult to penetrate.
Also they should have Plan A , B and C to adopt in case if they have to face any sabotage.
Cell phones, Video phones, Video cameras, and inviting lots of media personnel..preferably with LIVE INTERNATIONAL TV COVERAGE A MUST.
Stay together by covering each other,keep in handy a water bottle, pepper spray, a belt and lots and lots of will power will do the job.
Who is Ranil Wickremasinghe…..He is a spent force. If he is smart enough….he could be used as a Mole, a dummy , a decoy or a spy wichever he prefers to others.
I feel sorry for UNP for having RW for 6 more years…How old is he…. can he walk 6 miles every day to meet people and give speeches without people falling asleep for six more years. OMG.
He could be more useful to society if he could be hired as a clown or a santa claus during festive season. I don’t see any other profession for him ….other than Mr. constant Looser. Pray that the party members and the supporters to have patience to tolerate to see and hear him talk for 6 more years.
His collegue Anura Bandaranayake….another grade 10 school drop out. What Anura knows about LAW for Ranil to take lessons from…other than both are suitable for one purpose……..
Good luck
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gamini / December 3, 2012
Jayantha we all have our dissagreements, but your is a little too below the belt. Is it not?
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Jayantha / December 4, 2012
gamini,
Sorry if I been too rude….but since I too am a UNPyr. I expect RW to be a more of an opposition leader than a Govt. mouth piece on this CJ impeachment trial.
While knowing all the elections RW contested were rigged by MR, while knowing all his last protest marches were teargassed and water cannoned, knowing that over 60 of UNP MP’s were bought by MR….what is this pro Anura Bandaranaike thing he was talking about.
Also RW knows from the beginning that this CJ impeachment is a big lie, and a fraud made up by MR on false grounds. So what’s the business he has to prove the validity of the PSC.
Somebody has to tell to RW… what to talk, when to talk and with whom to talk.
We expect him to be the OPPOSITION LEADER AND NOT AN YES SIR / NO SIR/ THANK YOU SIR…. LEADER.
Hope RW will understand.
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leel / December 3, 2012
Jayantha your comment is very encouraging toall the readers but not like gamini, because he is a puppy of rw.
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Leela / December 4, 2012
After all, NGOs and their pay masters and the Tamil Diaspora have found an ideal replacement for SF. Don’t you ever give up Jayantha.
Leela
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Jayantha / December 4, 2012
Leelo..
I am not an NGO, neither a slave to lie for blood money paid by a paymaster, or Tamil Diaspora as you will note from my name. I am a Sinhalese from colombo…..not a mademulana Bi-Polar fanatic.
I want you to write sense according to your conscious…..not to dress up a “pambaya” for a three penny “pin padi”.
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Piranha / December 2, 2012
Regime change is inevitable as soon as possible. Any delay will result in Rajapaksa gaining absolute power over everything he surveys. The people are sleepwalking into a nightmare.
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M J / December 2, 2012
Let’s wait and see what is next after this meting.
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Safa / December 3, 2012
The famous strategy of ‘divide and rule’ in action plus the condom theory ‘use and discard’. Bribes of position and perks galore. Corruption vs Justice.
“Inspire public trust and confidence” – Motto of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
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PB / December 3, 2012
Ranil Wickramasinghe is SRI LANKA’ s CURSE!
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gamini / December 3, 2012
PB absolutely, Ranil is the curse of this country. By the way who is responsible for governance of this country, Is it MR or is it Ranil? I can understand people being naive, but to this extent, it is unimaginable?
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Candid_Talk / December 3, 2012
Gamini, it is the weak opposition that he is referring to. If the opposition was united and had a brave and courageous leader, Mahinda would not have his free reign as he has now. In terms of personality, RW shows poor form, showing a bent forefinger like cricket umpire Billy Bowden, talking shop when people expect aggressive opposing views, paving the way for MaRa to even use RW’s quotes as opposition views which he purports to be in sopport of him, Clearly, like everyone else bought over and crossed to prop this government, RW too has ‘bitten the dust’, but without any physical crossover. Merely asked to stay as opposition leader and play fiddle-dee-dee and not rock the boat too much. In return he will be looked after well, state secirity, foreign travels, all the perks fit for a king, without the headaches and responsibilities of governing the country. Personally, he is well off, but as a party, all who did not crossover suffer and the party in the doldrums. Admit it, he is only cementing his position as party head for next 6 years, and his attitude and efforts will never change to take over and reign over this country. Lets face it. We need dynamic leaders who never mince their words, ideally people like Sajith, who could rally people support. which is a danger to MaRas free reign.
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Desperatelanka / December 4, 2012
Every right thinking – ones respect the facts – are well aware that RW is not the problem for the nature of current oppotition. Those criminals that crossed over had fears if they continued to be under UNP seeing that RW would go for investigations for all corruption that they have been charged. So MR bought them all making the secret deal with SN Silva. Now the very same criminals continue their corrupted lives being on MRs cabinet. MR has proved records that he is not a leader who would ever respect lawful manner of life. It is all because the background he is raised. RW respects the lawful manner – within the party, parliament and the country. So, what the nation wants right at this critical stage is a leader who rather respect rule of the law, respect and dignity of life NOT a person that promote and breed crimes within the nation. Today, the society is already destructed. Does MR utter a word about that ? NO.
Leelas and the ilk support MR.
We those who respect rule of the law have to support RW if ever we want to save future of our youth.
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Desperatelanka / December 4, 2012
Ranil is the srilanka^s future. Only short sighters see it as you do. He is anti corrupt – well educated, gentle sort of a person. No doubt, if he will be the leader to lead the nation – people will enjoy a society which safeguard the respect and dignity of the human lives. Currently, over 90% of the ruling parties are corrupted, abusive, killerminded and uncivilized.
Country should be governed by a civilized leader – if the top leadership is over corrupted, merciless when it goes for civilized and cultured life we can even the face – as being seen these days in our society.
My grandfather once said – balla raja unoth – okkoma nathi problems athiwenawa. This reminds me almost everyday when closely stuying the lanken news – after all being out of the country.
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Sunila Mendis / December 3, 2012
Unity among lawyers,judges,and professional organisations,the clergy ,is the need of the hour to fight against a corrupt,lawless regime.Please do not sacrifice your self respect for a bag of money.Take the example of FUTA.They carried on their strugle for three months but not one FUTA member could be bought over.That is called unwavering INTEGRITY.Judges are people with integrity. Fight to the last.
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Jim Hardy / December 3, 2012
As usual the ruling junta is trying all their pranks by hook or crook to trample justice freedom & corruptions.
Is the Judiciary united & strong to withstand the Rajapaksa onslaught. I doubt we have history of cowards betrayers & traitors in SriLanka.
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Rahmathullah / December 3, 2012
Interestingly Ranil is the Opposition leader as well as adviser to the ruling elites. i feel sorry for all the UNPers including myself.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 3, 2012
The four opposition members in the PSC have requested that its proceedings be suspended for one month. How this will play out is to be seen. I was disgusted at the manner in which the meeting of the judges was portrayed on state TV.
The few ordinary citizens I spoke today viewed the auto driver protest and yesterday’s. news presentation with much distaste. If this sample represents the views of the many, the government should step back from its attempt to get rid of the CJ by hook or by crook.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Lanka Muslim, UK / December 3, 2012
The issue has now become a ‘Battle of The Intelligentia Vs Te Idiots’ more and more knowledgeable people, like the many Writers and Artistes, joining the anti-impeachment forces and the less knowledgeable, like the Taxi-Drivers (no intention of demeaning them) joining the pro-impeachment forces. Who will win the battle depends on the ‘power of violence’ that one could muster in support. At the end of it the outcome of this battle will reflect on the nature of all the people of the country whether they accept intelligence or idiocy.
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Leela / December 4, 2012
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
I think some NGOs and their pay masters and their black coat backers are taking the CJ along the garden path, just the way they carried SF.
This is no simple impeachment by PSC now; the press has become the prosecutor. CJ‘s son fired the first salvo by writing to the web to confirm his mother’s determination to fight till the last breath. Then the CJ’s attorneys had expanded it by sending their answers to alleged charges to the press. So what do you expect Dr.? Government has taken up the challenge. And the public has become the Jury.
So, it’s a bare knuckle fight now. Either CJ have to go or the President has to go. CJ thinks the average man is with her. And you also seemed to think they are with the CJ. You are sadly mistaken. Just follow me and you will see why.
Leela
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 4, 2012
Leela,
To be honest, the government is absolutely wrong in trying to impeach the CJ on frivolous charges. The government is also wrong in trying to create conditions for the CJ to resign before the foolish impeachment procedures it has push started can be concluded. This has encouraged those who are genuinely perturbed and those who smell blood, to do battle on behalf of the CJ. The auto driver protest and the crowd brought in to surround the Supreme Court today, were organised by those close to the government. The public are perturbed about thgovernment move to subvert the independence of the judiciary. The decades long turmoil and war are over. Democracy is asserting itself. The government has to adjust to the new circumstances. If not, it is bound to lose the confidence of the people soon. The cost of living and many not so above board decisions/ actions of the government are of concern to the people. This is not a foreign or pro-tiger conspiracy. The writing is on the wall. It is time the president put his ear to the ground, to hear the approaching stampede.
It is sad that a president with much potential and a public acclaim that his predecessors never had, has forgotten that he is ultimately answerable to the people and that they cannot be taken for granted. The strength of popular democracy lies in the dictum ‘ Cognito ergo sum’ ( the voice of the people is the voice of God). A mass of people as a collective entity have the capacity to feel when something is wrong. It is a visceral reaction. I am sure the people as a whole feel that the CJ is being treated unfairly. The fact that she is a women, magnifies this sentiment.
It is wise for the president to back track on this issue in order not to negate his many achievements. He is not managing a war now and it is imperative that he adopts a more democratic and accommodative management style. I am aware that the manner the president walks and carries himself , which seem arrogant is annoying to many people. We as a people believe in simplicity and admire humbleness.
The war on poverty, for development and to address the minority concerns calls for a different approach. Discipline has to be imposed on the politicians, public servants and the government hangers on. This may require a do right , be right or go to hell attitude. However, institutions that were originally founded on the right principles have to be strengthened and treated with respect. Most importantly the public should not be taken for village idiots, who can be taken for ride with organised protests, street side cut outs and media lies. Public relations exercises cannot substitute for substance.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 5, 2012
A. Correction: The Latin saying should be, ‘ Vox Populi, Vox Di’ ( the voice of people, is the voice of God) . Regret the misquote.
Dr.R.N
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Leela / December 4, 2012
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran,
Here we are; the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal have decided to proceed with the petitions filed against the speaker’s order on impeachment of the CJ. And with the backing of all the parliamentarians the speaker had rejected court notices and writs related to his decisions on the affairs of the parliament. But CJ decided to blink and attend the PSC inquiry.
Anyway, it seems both the government and opposition are equally concerned about their powers and privileges of the Parliament. The judiciary too is equally determined not just to retain their authority to interpret the existing laws but increasingly to impose its own wishes or third party agenda.
Though you say there is no foreign or pro-tiger conspiracy, we see clearly foreign funded anti government NGOs are capitalizing on this issue. And the CJ got herself trapped in their plot. The fact that NGOs like Transparency International, Lawyers for Democracy, Young Lawyers Association, Free Media Movement and Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association have joined the march in support for the CJ today says it all. This is where the problem lies. So, I doubt the government could take even half a step back in this instant.
I am sure the President knows that it is the people that elect MPs. He also knows that the same people could send them home in six years or earlier. The President knows it is the same story for him as well as the government.
But for superior judges however, once appointed, they are set for life. This the people doesn’t know but the government is disseminating it fast.
The day majority people see MR walks like an own-all ruler and carries a know-all head as you say, that‘ll be the beginning of his end. I think MR is too smart to get carried away with such foolish snobbishness.
But, people know that almost everyone in the judiciary is selfish and aloof and the black coated lawyers are madly money orientated. Both lawyers and Judges do not care tuppence about basic needs of Pereras in court premises, but they have arranged all conveniences for themselves. They are completely apathetic for day to day problems people are compelled to face at courts. People spend the entire day waiting for their case to be called like monkeys only to be postponed for another day. Just visit any magistrate court; you will see how a mass of people striving to rush into the courtroom so as not to miss their call and get a warrant.
Now look at what happened yesterday; judges decided to dodge courts and have a meeting with CJ, without informing litigants. This is not an unusual happening in courts on various pretexts. There is no one that gullible public can complain. But black coats collect their (tax free) fee in the morning regardless judges gone for a meeting with CJ. They always collect their fee whether the case will be taken up or not. I’ve heard people cursing not just the black coats but their mothers as well.
In courtrooms all most all judges think they are gods. There is no checks and balances in the Judiciary. But the Judiciary wants it for the legislature and the executive. If lawyers think people will follow them, they are sadly mistaken. People must seize this opportunity to size them.
Leela
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Desperatelanka / December 4, 2012
You say :
I am sure the President knows that it is the people that elect MPs. He also knows that the same people could send them home in six years or earlier. The President knows it is the same story for him as well as the government.
How dare you to say that he is aware that MPs were elected by people vote `? Most of them are by vote rigging and all pc jilmart ? Is not that so ?
This impeachment process will be boomerang effect on MR – wait and see. Jaya niyathai – Leela^s folk.. :)
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Desperatelanka / December 4, 2012
As my info are concerned, even MR^s reelection last time was not BY free and fair election. This was repeatedly criticized by former EC and international communities.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 5, 2012
Levels,
The institutions that are the pillars of a modern democracy have been degraded in an accelerating manner over the past 64 years. The executive, the parliament and the judiciary are set up to exercise their functions not only within a legal, but also a moral and ethical framework. The parliament enacts laws, the executive manages the country within the framework of these laws and the judiciary interpretes the law and dispenses justice. The executive appoints the Supreme Court judges and once this is done they are independent of the executive. The Supreme Court interpretes the constitution and constitutionality of laws passed by parliament. While the parliament is the only institution that can make laws, the Supreme Court is the sole authority to determine their validity in terms of the constitution. The executive as the name implies is the management arm of the triangular system. The three arms of governance are independent , while being part of a cohesive system. The sovereignty of the people are vested in the parliament, while the Supreme Court, interprets and safeguards the Constitution that vests sovereignty in the parliament . The powerful executive in Sri Lanka has unfortunately a strangle hold on parliament and is seeking to exert a strangle hold on the Supreme Court and through it the judiciary, using its strangle hold on parliament.
The battle now on is not principle based. It is pitting individuals in the three institutions against each other. The individuals may have erred and may br erring. However, the Supreme Court the ultimate repository of our sovereignty should be protected from the ravages of a rampaging executive and a captive parliament. The balance should be restored to our system. This would require constutional reform and a willingness within these institutions to respect the intent behind the principle of separation of powers.
The three pillar system that support our framework for national governance should not be sacrificed to the whims and fancies of individuals. The individuals can be changed, but the system should not be damaged. However, individuals represent the system and have to be dealt with in a manner that does not damage the system .
The lady who is the CJ, heads the judiciary and has to be dealt with in a manner that does not degrade her position. I also think it the CJ’s right as a defendent to defend herself as best as any accused should. The justice due to any accused should be pursued by the CJ to the maximum extent possible.
The public should be aware of what is unfolding and the CJ should be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond any doubt. Events should not be orchestrated to force her to quit before she is found guilty to the satisfaction of the public at large, the sovereignty of who whom she also represents. The public are the jury in this instance.
Democracy in Sri Lanka will be defined for decades to come by the current battle of wits between the Executive plus parliament vs the. CJ .
I am personally of the view the government has set in motion a process that will prove ultimately detrimental to not only this country, but also to the government and President Mahinda Rajapakse himself. ‘ HE’ is at present not only ,the executive, but in effect the parliament as well.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 5, 2012
Leela,
The last comment is addressed to you. My IPad has made an automatic correction, which I did notice before posting.
Dr.R.N
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Simhi / December 3, 2012
The govt. it is said even pickpocketed a judge at the Fort station on his way to the meeting!
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leel / December 3, 2012
Vavnia magistrate’s pickpocketed near Pettah railway station.
This great gentlemen judge may have come for this meeting.
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Punchinilame / December 3, 2012
The path to Dictatorial Democracy is clear to the Regime and it must
go that way if a hidden agenda is to be achieved. Now the clash with
the Judiciary is quiet different to that with Trade Unions etc.
One cannot imagine the Judiciary being compelled to close-shop & follow the 100 day-FUTA stand, to alter an idotic view of the Regime and
thus spell a Regime-change?
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Candid_Talk / December 3, 2012
One thing is for sure. The longer this process takes, the peoples momentum will build up in support of CJ, whilst MaRa and his cronies umpopularity will worsen. It is not going to be easy to fool all of the people all the time using state media propaganda. The common man on the street probably doesn’t care too much about who is the CJ, since this has no relevance to their livelihood. They constitute an estimate of 40 percent of population in its entirety. It is mostly intellwctuals and literates consisting balance 60 peercent who care about, and see the injustice being done to oust the CJ with false and malicious accusations, simply for not playing fiddle to governments whims and fancies. Hopefully, we should see some strategies being deployed to either save face, or blunt all opposition forces to show strength and also indicate who is in control. They learn their lessons from China on dissipating aggression and use of military to suppress popular uprising, and I am sure they wouldn;t hesitate to use it if it comes to that.
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Uthungan / December 4, 2012
If judges/magistrates take a day off from court, cases and trials fixed for hearing on the said day would be attended to by an acting judge or senior lawyer appointed by such judge/magistrate.
The acting judge/magistrate may or may not hear part heard trials and they may be postponed to another date.
New cases fixed for hearing may be heard and decided the same day if parties and witnesses are present.This the usual practice follwed.
Leela knows this well but is making a humbug posture just to please his benefactors.
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