Speaker to announce decision on observers
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa will announce in Parliament whether foreign institutions or organisations will be allowed to observe the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) proceedings on Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, a senior government source said yesterday.
The Speaker’s decision means there is a prima facie case against the CJ and the Speaker is expected to announce the charges against her during his address to Parliament today. One hundred and seventeen members of the UPFA representing all constituent parties had signed the resolution
This comes in the wake of the main opposition United National Party declaring that the PSC proceedings must be observed by representatives of the International Bar Association, Commonwealth Bar Association and International Judges’ Association to ensure transparency and a free and fair investigation.
The source said the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) parliamentary group meeting chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa was informed that Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa would include the resolution to impeach the Chief Justice in the Order Paper and PSC appointed to inquire and report on it.
“The Speaker’s decision means there is a prima facie case against the CJ and the Speaker is expected to announce the charg- es against her during his address to Parliament today,” the source added.
Five UPFA members headed by Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi handed a resolution calling for the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.
After the resolution is moved in Parliament today, the Speaker will appoint a PSC comprising not less than seven members under the Standing Orders. The PSC will include four members from the government and three members from the opposition.
The PSC will submit its report to the Speaker within 30 days from the first sitting and the CJ will have the opportunity to de- fend herself either by appearing before the PSC or through her lawyers.
The source said the charges include the abuse of power and questions on her personal conduct.
One hundred and seventeen members of the UPFA representing all constituent parties had signed the resolution.
If the PSC finds her guilty, the Speaker will refer the findings to a vote in the House.
A judge of the Supreme Court or the CJ can be removed by an order of the President made after an address to Parliament supported by a majority of the total number of MPs (including those not present).