By Lawyers Collective –
January 15, 2013: 9.00 p.m. Colombo;
- On 14th January, around 7 pm the Secretary to the President and DIG Anura Senanyaka required the Registrar of the Supreme Court to pack all belongings of the Chief Justice (Dr. Bandarayaka) and send the same to her residence. He had also been told that the new Chief Justice would arrive on the following day and everything must be cleared for him. In the night, on 14th January, a large number of Defence personnel had occupied the Superior Court Complex.
- On 15th January, early hours the Supreme Court Complex was cordoned off and riot squads, barricades and water cannons were kept in place. All the vehicles including that of the lawyers were checked to see whether Chief Justice Bandaranayaka was entering the Court premises. Police officers informed that they have ordered not to permit the Chief Justice Bandaranayaka. Around 9.45 am the road leading to Judges entrance to the Superior Court (Adhikarana Mawatha ) was sealed off. Armed police and STF personnel prevented anyone entering the Courts complex or its vicinity.
- Around 10.30 am, approximately 200 people accompanied by Government politicians entered the cordoned off area, with active protection from the police. They stayed opposite to the main entrance to the Superior Court shouting slogans (cheering the President, new Chief Justice and Wijedasa Rajapaksa-President BASL and BASL).
- The Media was not permitted within the Courts premises and was specifically prevented from entering the Courts premises. However, a large number of media personnel were present outside the main entrance to the Courts Complex. When two lawyers walked out of the Courts premises to talk to the media and to invite the media inside the Court Premises, the armed police and senior police officers prevented the two lawyers reentering into the Courts premises. Several lawyers gathered and protested to the Courts being barricaded. However, with the intervention of the Lawyers the two lawyers were permitted to re-enter. Around 12pm a large number of lawyers held a day light vigil which symbolizes the onset of darkness in the days to come.
- Mr. Mohan Pieris PC was sworn in as a Chief Justice and arrived in the Courts complex around 1.30pm. He was received by a group of Sri Lanka Freedom Party Lawyers and several others.
- Lady Chief Justice’s residence was cordoned off and senior Police Officers were seen even within the premises. The Chief Justice was told by Police Officers that she cannot speak to the media as she is no longer the Chief Justice. The media gathered outside the residence was asked to leave. They resisted and reminded the Police this is where the so called Golden Key depositors had camped and provided Police protection. When the Lady Chief Justice came out of the residence she was prevented from speaking to the media and thereafter she issued a written statement in all three languages.
Photo Courtesy CPA/Vikalpa
anaperera / January 15, 2013
I’m afraid the situation is much graver than reported here. BBC correspondent charles havilland tweets
“My life & lives of family are in danger”, Shirani Bandaranayake managed 2 tell media scrum thru car windo as son drove fam 2 priv hom”
And this is on BBC asia news as well.
We fear for the worst, as this regime knows no limits and the so called international reaction is so slow and caught up in their own politics.
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Citizen / January 15, 2013
It is the duty of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal to charge those Police Officers who had prevented Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake to talk to the media as well as to mention that she was no longer the Chief Justice, at a time she is still legally appointed the CJ. This is a clear infringement of her fundamental rights. This is the first time in the history of Sri Lanka that military personnels intruded into the rights of the lawyers. It won’t be a surprise that the Police and Military would dictate terms on the Judges to enter judgement as they want. New Law Reports would be changed to Military Mahinda Chintana Reports. What will the Police or Military do if the lawyers raises an objection on not being implemented the Orders of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Will the Police and the Military stand behind the judges with the bayonet and threaten them. Jai Mahinda !
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bonaparte / January 15, 2013
Mr Citizen, it is a futile appeal to them. Now the dictator owns every thing and every one; they are all serfs and servile to the thug. if anyone has to appeal to anybody, appeal to the US, the only country that has some power over despots. They are not far away, established in Maldives, and looking for a new world duty following on from dealing with the despotic Taliban
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M Y Foote / January 16, 2013
The courts are a place of Sanctity and we do not need guns to protect the people . Citizens of Mother Lanka, the guns are pointed at you, so that a despot can be protected!
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Safa / January 16, 2013
We see a similiar situation to General Fonseka when the army surrounded his hotel. How can the police prevent anyone from speaking to the media let alone the CJ. Is this a police state?
Nevertheless now she is out of their grasp and can issue a detailed statement.
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Ranasinghe.M / January 16, 2013
Sri Lankan police and Intelegance Services Bureau (NIB) most corrupated anti- democratic, anti-Justice and anti-repressive tool and more politically motivated out-fit in an Island.They are the most corrupated ( NIB) Police out-fit in the world.
Under the covered operation of State protection, so many right thinking persons having being kiddning, White Vans operations, extra-judicial killing are behind by NIB of Police.They who provided bogue reports against on Politiacl, Democratic actvities of Tamils Sinahleses and Muslim island,could suited to political agend party in power; created enemies and target privite-enemies on cast and ethanic basis of thier back ground, supperssed democratic actvities by High hand of Police power of NIB authorised by the Governemnt.
Police forces has no any right to enter into Supereme Court Complex,is violation and undermine Rule of demoacrcy,shaking very foundation rights of citizans of Sri lanka.
You cannot allow reports of NIB of Police to Rule Courts by Govern and Gamble Court of Law by gun point of Police’s Politics of NIB.
Ours is not Police state,our democracy of sovergenity are PEOPLE.
People become viocelees and powerless under SRI LANKAN POLICE RULE OF LAW.
All of who are loving democracy and Rule of Justice and must accpect the faily play democratic RULES, must condemed Police action in Supereme Court Complex.
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Senguttuvan / January 16, 2013
Joining M.Y. Foote, I am reminded of what we read of the atmosphere in
Kampala when that cannibal-savage Idi Amin’s armed goons desecrated that once prosperous land – Uganda. That East African country was never
able to stand up on its own since then. Idi Amin was forced out of the country and died in exile in Saudi Arabia. When that despot the Ugandan President was a guest of MR recently he brought along his own cooking staff to the Colombo Hilton – since he fears being poisoned anytime. That is how popular he is in his own country. That is the peace fascistic despots get during their tenure. What a life!
Senguttuvan
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Latimer / January 16, 2013
And 24 hours ago Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Pakistans Prime Minister.
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Villager / January 16, 2013
But the ex-CJ and some of her backers like lawyer collective had said, they will not accept the speakers rule and Shirani B would remain as the CJ. During the weekend, ‘lawyer collective’ even said Shirani B will continue her duties on the 15th whereas the President had appointed a new chief justice on the same date. Stupid as she is, the fired CJ even asked for police protection to continue her job. She imagined a nonexistent constitutional crises and thought police is also confused like her. But she dare go to SC premises. If she did and created hullabaloo she would have been arrested and charged for disturbing peace or for madness like Muthuhettigama. I am waiting to see, whether lawyer collective will stick to their guns and boycott courts or abandon her in toto and walk quietly back to court rooms.
Shirani B may go with the wind or join SF or may well start another political party of her own for she has displayed all the qualities of a Sri Lankan politician. Anyway, that’s her right, and we wish her luck. For one thing though, RanilW will not have her even near Sirikotha.
However, beneficiaries and benefactors of NGOs won’t end their plots at this drama. They will trap another gullible and use him/her to try to achieve their ends. Their business will continue for otherwise they won’t get dollars for their bear. But majority Sri Lankan will never let Sri Lanka be an Egypt, Pakistan or Syria.
Leela
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Desperatelanka / January 16, 2013
I cant make you out among the crowd. You represent the ilk and you did it good.
But never forget that you and your ilk would succeed always.
Now the times are numbered, Common wealth states are considering all these.
Srilanka will no longer be considered as democratic state. This will be announced soon.
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Villager / January 16, 2013
That’s me. The one in the pink tea shirt here.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/violence-against-citizens-at-hultsdorf/
Got it. Desperate
Leela
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Bandara / January 16, 2013
Police department prostitutes for GR. Just like in 1987 in which police killed unarmed supporters of SLFP and JVP in disguise of protecting peace
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Sunila Mendis / January 16, 2013
The scene at Huiftsdorf reminds us the scene of the end of Prabakaran.So much fear of an unarmed woman.
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PT Dinal / January 16, 2013
Wot happened to Vasideva, JaraWimal, Deshahithishee GUNE, Hela Karumaya who told NOT to appoint Pacha(Mohan) Peiris(Non-buddist) ? Where are you ????
Even that Malay Lady Buran Shirani is better they said….?(instead of Shirani Bandaranayake)
Hoda hoda sellam elivena Jameta
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Naga / January 16, 2013
Let us hope that this drama has finally ended. People like Pakisothy Saravanamuttu who owe their existence to their neocolonial masters in the West gave false hope to Shirani Bandaranaike. She not only devalued herself she disgraced the high office of Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. She failed to see the writing on the wall. Pakisothy, Sumanthiran, Lawyers Collective and others were only trying to use technicalities to defend her but failed to say anything about the serious charges levelled against Shirani. The general public see her guilty as charged.
The best thing for Shirani Bandaranaike is to join her sister in Australia who apparently caused all this trouble for her. Shirani can resume her academic career in Australia. Surely she will be welcomed in the Kangaroo land.
Pakisothy & Co,backed by their pay masters in the West, will pick up another cudgel against MR government. Already there is a ready made one coming up in March in the form of the UN Human Rights Council discussion on Sri Lanka. These shameless guys will go to any length to destabilise Sri Lanka. In countries like China or Soviet Union they would have been hanged long time ago for treason. Sri Lanka is very tolerant.
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Villager / January 16, 2013
I fully agree with what you wrote except for that yarn of sister owning the apartment. Sister is just a convenient alibi to rest the ownership. ShiraniB is the real owner, no doubt. If you sit with those Bank accounts and study the pattern of increasing her savings, the dates and the duration, you’ll see what I mean.
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Desperatelanka / January 16, 2013
Best thing is – president of the state should declare his assets. And how he has earned them during the last few years. That is what people of the country should request him right at this decisive moment of the country. RW will surely prove that he has not earned any- for sure, his will be declared soon.
Then it will be clear to the nation president s actions are acceptable even though it was not consitutional – though repeatedly lied to the nation all these few days. If it is consituational, he has to highlight all the very inoformation as given on the constituion.
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Lewke / January 16, 2013
Mahinda Rajapakse is like a father who saved mother from thugs yet sell her as a prostitute at night time for money..
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Lewke / January 16, 2013
Why did prabhakaran elect Mahinda in 2005 as president??
Because Mahinda is doing harm to long term health of Sri Lankan democracy more effectively than prabhakaran
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Bandara / January 16, 2013
MR owes his existence to his masters at world bank also — refer to central bank report for more details.
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whywhy / January 17, 2013
Where’s our friend Gamini? Not too busy these days!
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / January 18, 2013
We have not heard anything from the Lawyers Collective, since the 15th of January? Does the Collective exist any more?
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran.
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Villager / January 19, 2013
Many in the Lawyers Collective are slowly creeping into court rooms one by one. Stupid sods!
Leela
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