SB denies insinuation by JVP

Judges entering Temple Trees seeking favours

Former Minister and SLFP front liner S.B. Dissanayaka categorically denied the insinuations by the JVP that he had said that judges were entering Temple Trees and the Speaker’s official residence seeking favours and added he was well aware that not a single judge had ever done that.

Mr. Dissanayaka, while stressing that parliamentarians were committed to protect the honour and dignity of all judges, queried as to why this type of gossip was being floated by the media.

Participating in the adjournment debate on the Constitutional Council (CC) last week, Mr. Dissanayaka went on to say that the controversy surrounding the CC was a creation of the Prime Minister, Speaker and the JVP.

The composition of the CC has been changed in a covert manner to favour the UNP. With that change, there are seven CC members out of ten to support the UNP

“The composition of the CC has been changed in a covert manner to favour the UNP. With that change, there are seven CC members out of ten to support the UNP. Seniority is one of the main criteria considered when giving promotions in the State sector whether it is Education, Health, Public Administration or Science and Technology.

Seniority in service is the number one qualification for promotions. The Speaker has written to the President complaining that the CC does not consider seniority as a criteria when giving promotions to judges. This is the issue,” he stressed.

The sole appointing authority of judges before the 19th and 18th Amendments to the Constitution was the Executive President. It was late President J.R. Jayewardene and the UNP government who took that brought this change. The power to appoint judges was exercised by President D.B.Wijetunga and Chandrika Kumaratunga. The Constitutional Assembly and Independent Commissions are two totally different systems. That is why the President asked us to come up with a better system after consulting the Speaker and the Constitutional Assembly, Mr. Dissanayaka added.

“We have no problem with the independent commissions or the Constitutional Assembly. We also want to protect and safeguard judicial independence and rule of law. We are fully committed to protect the dignity, independence and honour of judges,” Mr. Dissanayaka stressed.

Education is one factor considered when giving promotions to judges along with their experience, skills, reliability and special abilities if any. So, my question is how and why a majority of nominees of the 14 sent to the CC by the President were not considered for promotions as they did not have any complaints against them and have the other qualifications when seniority, skills, abilities and experience is considered. This is the main issue, he noted.