By International Commission of Jurists –
The ICJ condemned the decision of Sri Lanka’s parliament today to impeach the country’s Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayake.
Shirani Bandaranayake
“Parliament’s impeachment motion has defied the rulings of the country’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and thus thrown into chaos the entire system of checks and balances in the country,” said Sam Zarifi, ICJ’s Asia-Pacific director.
“Sri Lanka’s parliament and executive have effectively decapitated the country’s judiciary in pursuit of short term political gain. As an immediate matter, this has precipitated a legal and constitutional crisis of unprecedented dimensions; but just as worrying are the consequences of this action, which severely erodes accountability and the rule of law in a country already suffering from decades of impunity.”
The impeachment decision now goes to President Mahinda Rajapakse, who precipitated this crisis initially. Under Article 107 of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka, a Chief Justice can only be removed by an order of the President after a motion supporting the removal is passed by a simple majority of Parliamentarians.
The impeachment process against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake has been widely criticized for ignoring international standards and practice. On 6 December 2012, the Chief Justice and her team of lawyers walked out of the impeachment hearing in protest over the denial of a fair hearing. On 1 January 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the impeachment procedure in Parliament was not constitutionally valid, finding that such procedures could only be established ‘by law’ enacted by Parliament.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has publically vowed that it will not welcome a new Chief Justice and the Lawyers Collective has called on the Supreme Court and the superior judiciary to not recognize the newly appointed Chief Justice.
“President Rajapakse should refuse to appoint a new Chief Justice, and instead call on Parliament to enact a new law – through a transparent and democratic process – to govern the impeachment process. Any such law must comport with international standards on judicial independence and guarantees of due process and fair trial,” Zarifi added.
CONTACT:
Sam Zarifi, ICJ Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Bangkok. t:+66 807819002; email: sam.zarifi@icj.org
Sheila Varadan, ICJ Legal Advisor, South Asia Programme, Bangkok. t: +66 857200723; email: sheila.varadan@icj.org
See also previous ICJ press releases:
Sri Lanka’s Parliament should reject motion to impeach Chief Justice
Sri Lanka: new ICJ report documents ‘Crisis of Impunity’
Saliya Bandara Wickremesooriya / January 11, 2013
Monsters in SL Government do not know what justice, morality, democracy and humanity are, for they are not human.
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Munasinghe / January 11, 2013
USA also expressed deep concern. Entire process was irregular. Blunder after blunder, no country will recognize these proceedings.
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nadeesuwan@gmail.com / January 12, 2013
our country should govern according to the laws of here. Not according to the USA or UK ‘s tune.Parliament was empowered by the people of this country. So our parliament will look after the things according to the wishes of the majority of this country.Obviously the majority is with the govt.They dont mind whoever the cj.But they expect the cj should be a respectable person.Is the SHIRANI MADAM IN THAT CATOGERY? .No.Not at all.See how she behaves now. She ruined the whole legal system of this country.
When she was appointed as a SC JUDGE she accepted the excecutive powers of the president. When she was asked to go, she denies the power of the president & parliament both.See what type of woman she is.
she should go home immediately,without making more troubles to the citizens of this country.
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