By Colombo Telegraph –
Senior Attorney at Law, Upul Jayasuriya was inducted President, Bar Association of Sri Lanka at the 39th BASL Convocation graced by Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, 43rd Chief Justice. The induction was held at the Nawarangahala Hall and graced by many dignitaries including former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and many religious leaders.
CJ and Justice Wigneswaran | File photo
Retd Supreme Court Justice C. V. Wigneswaran as keynote speaker, emphasised that the ‘so-called impeachment’ of CJ Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake was illegal and flawed. He said that the disregard of the court rulings that the impeachment was unconstitutional and completely undermines the rule of law.
He said he’s glad that the legal profession has realised the important task pf embarking on a difficult journey to restore legitimacy to the judicial system. He warned that this difficult journey involves dangers including state sponsored character assassinations and even physical violence. He said he wished Mr. Upul Jayasuriya the strength to carry out the overwhelming mandate for this task given by the legal profession.
Shirani Bandaranayake attended the Annual Convocation of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka
Former Attorney General Sunil De Silva, PC also spoke. He spoke of the need for an independent, fearless Bar for the wellbeing and efficacy of the judiciary.
Attorney General Palitha Fernando who came for the function left early without inducting Jayasuriya. Senior lawyers said he was afraid the Rajapaksa regime would punish him if he remained. The Colombo Telegraph learns that de facto CJ Mohan Pieris who was not invited by the Bar had wanted pro-govt lawyers to refrain from attending. However, there was an impressive turnout of the most respected silks and seniors of the Bar.
Solicitor General Yuvanjan Wijeyatilleke who is known to be canvassing for appointment by President Rajapaksa as a Supreme Court judge, was also absent.
Several senior lawyers told The Colombo Telegraph that this was a reflection of the servile condition of senior public officers under the regime, especially after the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.
D.M.O. Krazy / March 30, 2013
“The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing.”
Caroline Kennedy
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Jaliya Wickramasinghe / April 1, 2013
But this group is pro LTTE, pro Elam, unconstituent and against the peoples’ will
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Park / March 30, 2013
At last the Lawyers have shown that they are for the truth and justice. Well done. This action should be a guiding light to all the other professional bodies including, medical, accounting, insurance etc.
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Seelawathie / April 2, 2013
My question is if all these highly experienced are making clear that it was flawed, but why the internal courts have no access to prove it. I mean in such a case, there should be kind of interntional court to go against rulers, or not ? For what purpose is commonwealth pact are there ?
And most ridiculous thing is minister of external affairs as a former law professor had made clear that the impeachment process was within the prevailiing laws in SL. He was graduated by UK universities. And the man is said to brilliant scholar during his times. Why could not he go against that was that because of the loyality to the ruling govt ? As far as my knowledge is concerned it is not easy for highly educated to react against laws.. because their conscience would never allow theirm to react in that way…
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 30, 2013
It is good to see the smiling and relaxed CJ. Her recent troubles seem to be sitting lightly on her. She has not lost her equanimity in the face of circumstances that would have destroyed lessor beings. This proves her suitability to continue to be our CJ.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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Anil Fernando / March 30, 2013
Malcolm Ranjith would not have attended even if invited for fear of offending the President
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Mr Retort / March 30, 2013
Yes he would have prevented even the pope if invited
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k.k / March 30, 2013
Malcom rangith, such a useless cardinal brainless spinless mongrel. sorry i tried to wake him up this ass hole..
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Shammil Perera / March 31, 2013
This is obviously a spineless comment made by a person who does not know anything about the Roman Catholic Church. Saturday the 30th March was Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil. The Holy Week services culminate on this day and the evening service goes on until midnight. We have no evidence that His Eminence was invited. Even if he was, he could never have attended this event. The Administrator of this Web Site should not allow such base comments.
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harry de mery / March 30, 2013
ALSO I NO LONGER READ ANY SPEACHES FROM RULING CLOWNS. (MINSTERS WHO VOTED FOR IMPEACHEMENT). THE PRESIDENT AND THE OTHERS ARE ILLEGALLY FORCEFULLY RULING SRI LANKA. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED ILLEGALLY IMPEACHED THE CHIEF JUSTICE, YOU ARE NO LONGER THE PRESIDENT AND ALL WHO VOTED FOR THE IMPEACHMENT SHOULD BE FIRED FROM THIER POSITIONS. IF THEY DONT, NON OF THE SRI LANKANS SHOULD LISTEND TO WHAT EVER THEY SAY. YOU DO NOT RESPECT THIEVES AND ROGUES WHO BREAK THE LAW. NO1 RULE OF SRI LANKA SHOULD BE THAT. NAMASTE!
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Safa / March 30, 2013
A slap in the face of the illegal CJ and the impeachment gon harakas. They cannot fool the people all the time. People know the llaw and their rights more than the Miharakas of Magampura.
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gamini / March 30, 2013
Nice to see High Court Judge S.I. Imam also being present, when the Rajapaksa stooges in silk were canvassing everyone to boycott the function.
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AYMAN / April 10, 2013
S.I. IMAM IS A SUPREME COURT JUDGE.HE COMES FROM GOOD STOCK.HE HAS SINCE RETIRED.
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Probono Publico / March 30, 2013
Good to see the lawyers standing up for justice even though they face a formidable opposition in the form of the rulers of the land!
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Lion / March 30, 2013
Lawyers have shown to the world the guts they have against a despot who terrorize the legal profession in Srilanka.Its the time for other academicians and intellectual of this country to rise against the family regime.
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Boni Fernando / March 31, 2013
Good to hear that Lawyers are get together to protect Judiciary. Same way Lawyers help us to protect Sri Lankan University system from fake and bogus professors and family depts. As a nation we have to clean our national Universities from bogus fake professors. UGC, VCs, Councils, Minister and even President must responsible for this disaster inside Universities. Now they can correct it by checking and sacking them for use of wrong titles and taking salary from poor tax payers money. Why as a nation you are silent. Media take this issue and expose bogus fake professors and build world class University system in your country with PhDs and international publications based real professors. Wthout PhD from top class University and minimum 15 Publications in ISI/Scopus level even Etyhopia and Sudan did not appoint Professors. But in Sri Lanka……..?
Read the comments of the followings in Colombo telegraph. You will see the disaster inside Universities. Legal community come forward and reveal these fake bogus professors and clean your country University system.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/either-the-vc-candidate-husband-or-the-ugc-chairperson-wife-must-withdraw-from-their-positions-law-teachers/
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-collapse-of-academic-autonomy-in-sri-lankan-universities/
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-collapse-of-institutions/
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/colombo-university-vc-controversy-a-different-perspective/
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-response-to-professor-savitri-goonesekeres-response/
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Darlin de Silva / March 31, 2013
Those who were worth wearing “Silk” were present and those who were fully covered or clad in “Polyester Cotton” and pretending to be wearing “Silk” were absent.
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Renuka / March 31, 2013
I can seethe motive of all this from the people attended.
Upul j- former UNPer who criticized Ranil W. contested from UNP and lost.
CBK – all know who she is – the good, bad and ugly
Shirani – ousted CJ
Vigneshwaran and others commented – name indicates they ate pro LTTE or Tamil sympathizers.
Who cares these comments. Rajapaksa is doing well and willow rule till 2020. Protect the mother land
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ramesi / March 31, 2013
Renuka with a empty coffin he will rule lanka for sure
ll will dead and gone
god bless lanka and its people
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Probono Publico / April 1, 2013
@ Renuka So anyone with a Tamil or Muslim name who stands for what is right is an LTTE or pro Tamil sympathiser ha? shows the racist in you gal!
Not only are you racist your also a fool to say that the Govt is doing well
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Lion / April 1, 2013
Renuka yes yes he will rule Srilanka as long as people like you remain in this country.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / March 31, 2013
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Kumar Senadirajah / April 5, 2013
Upul is [Edited out]
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