By Colombo Telegraph –
“I am writing to express the Law Council of Australia’s concern regarding reports of threats and intimidation against the legal profession and judiciary in Sri Lanka, and to request that the Australian Government encourage the Sri Lankan Government to respect the important roles that an independent legal profession and the rule of law play in democratic societies. The Law Council is particularly concerned about recent reports that the Sri Lankan President, President Rajapakse, has dismissed Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake based on a process which does not appear to have been conducted in a fair or transparent manner.” the Law Council of Australia writes to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bob Carr.
Bob and Rajapaksa | Picture by Sudath Silva
“The Law Council considers the existence of an independent, impartial and competent judiciary to be an essential component of the rule of law. The Law Council also considers that any impeachment process regarding judges must involve strict observance of the rule of law. Based on the information available to the Law Council, it does not appear that the process that the Sri Lankan Government has relied on to date to impeach the Chief Justice has involved such strict observance.” wrote Joseph J Catanzariti, the president of the Law Council of Australia.
“The Law Council is aware that the International Bar Association, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Canadian Bar Association, the International Commission of Jurists, Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, LAWASIA and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales have expressed concern about the impeachment proceedings against the Chief Justice. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, has raised similar concerns in this regard.” he further wrote.
Read the original letter here
srilal / January 18, 2013
Bob Carr was in SL recently, so he is fully aware of the real situation, instead of showing some resent, he offered some financial and technical assistance for the junta. Food for thought!
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Mahela / January 19, 2013
That’s the bait they give to catch the fish. Wait couple of weeks to see how the bait works.
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Senguttuvan / January 18, 2013
Srilal – the name of the game is, as Mario Puzo said “make him an offer
he cannot refuse” So Bob Carr may have fallen to it when he visited
but as he returned home Down Under, he sees matters from a different prism. Australia-NZ usually falls in line with Britain, Canada and the lot.
Senguttuvan
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srilal / January 25, 2013
“So Bob Carr may have fallen to it when he visited
but as he returned home Down Under,”
i don’t think so , their foreign policies never work on irrational basis , all the decisions are taken prior to the visit ,Senguttuvan
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justice / January 18, 2013
No proof any wrong doing by CJ Shirani B yet known to the people.
It is the state’s duty to publish all details of the PSC deliberations – all evidence led, and how she was found “guilty”.
Else,this was a ‘sham trial’ by politicians.
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Antileela fraction / January 18, 2013
Time given for the impeachment process against SRILANKEN legitimate Chief Justice – SB.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgEbNntETvs&NR=1
Opposition leader in the parliament argues about the times provided…..
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Antileela fraction / January 18, 2013
To whom all that are still unaware of the reality behind the illegal impeachment against the legitimate CJ of srilanka.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVfDAvoHREI&NR=1
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Antileela fraction / January 18, 2013
Here is what the president of srilanka expresses aabout the impeachment against the CJ of the country
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsrIOMQ0PSE
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Antileela fraction / January 18, 2013
This is what the CJ of the country says about the sitting judges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf01dzDApf0
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Safa / January 18, 2013
The govt is playing the asylum and boat people card to get the Aussies on its side. Aussie govt is under pressure to address the immigrant issue so it is willing to play ball even with a criminal like MR.
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Park / January 19, 2013
The noose is getting tighter. This is going to be tighter when US takes notice of Gothabaya in his speech saying “if US does not train our soldiers we have China”, who is Gotha to make a policy decision like this. He is only a paid servant of the people, he is a secretary, not even an MP or Minister. What are the parliamentarians doing without taking this up in the parliament and bringing Gotha to a parliamentary committee for an inquiry. Similarly, the Goat in the UN – Palitha Kohana has asked what effect the Commonwealth Org has. Who is Palitha, he is again a paid servant of the people and only a diplomat, he has no right to make comments such as this. He too should be brought in front of a parliamentary committee. What are the opposition members in the parliament doing? Ranil are you still collecting commission from the President and keeping quiet?
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kautilya / January 19, 2013
Ranil is in a mission to strengthen the hands of M,dreaming that he will become the president in 2014
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Mahela / January 19, 2013
This is why during the recent floods non of those countries offered any assistance.
First it was after MARA stole Tsunami Donations, these countries stopped giving any relief money to Govt. even during the 2010 Floods.
Also MARA was feelingt guilty to ask for assistance.
Second Govt.not complying with UN human rights issue and not implementing LLRC recommendation made Sri Lanka Isolated, and it affected relief assistance.
In future there will be more restrictions….and the Noose will slowly be tightened.
What do China has other than our MARA robbed Museum Swords, rings, coins and gem studded Poles etc. Very soon our Ivory will be shipped to China.
Take my word. When China Comes…it’s Clean sweep.MARA Gon Hara…a. Vesi….e Pu…..ha.
Only poor people who lost everything Both From Tsunami and Floods suffer.
Ke…i Mara Ruined our Country.
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gamini / January 19, 2013
Park, I am afraid you have missed the point that Gota also an American citizen, is the brief carrier for the Americans. These charges traded between the Americans and Gota are for public consumption. It is for that reason Gota gets the recognition although he is only a public servant but he acts more powerful than all of them.
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Percy Holdenbottle / January 19, 2013
I have lived in Sri Lanka all my life. Since 1977 all successive Presidents have tried to influence the judiciary. CJ Bandaranayake was appointed by the current President and was catspaw until she refused to tow the line on one particular matter (the Divineguma Bill). Imagine a cricket team where suddenly the wicket keeper who was appointed by the captain, refuses to field the ball. This is simply a case of ‘when thieves fall out’. Nothing more, nothing less. The procedure followed to oust her was irregular to say the least but is akin to the captain dropping the wicket keeper. The new appointee CJ Mohan Peiris is puppet par extraordinaire. He is used to singing for his supper. Law students in Sri Lanka will be kept busy for many years to come, trying to discern his judgements. It’s what makes living in this country so interesting.
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