LAWYERS TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH CJ IN HULFTSDORP

A large number of lawyers led by six organizations will rally outside the Superior Courts Complex in Hulftsdorp in the morning today to show solidarity with Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake when she leaves to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the impeachment motion against her.

The civil movement Lawyers for Democracy said hundreds of lawyers would gather outside the court complex in the morning hours before the Chief Justice proceeds to parliament at 10.00 am.

“This is a politically motivated procedure. It is unfair and unconstitutional. The entire thing is designed to ensure that court decisions are made in favour of them. If they go ahead with this decision there will not be a judge in a higher court who would be able to act independently,” Lawyers for Democracy member J.C Weliamuna said.

He said parliamentary interference was unjust and that it was not acceptable to allow the same party that

This is a politically motivated procedure. It is unfair and unconstitutional. The entire thing is designed to ensure that court decisions are made in their favour

made the accusation against the Chief Justice to determine the course of action that should be taken on the charges made against her. “This violates the basic principles of justice,” he said.

Several trade unions are also expected to gather near Hulftsdorp in protest against the impeachment procedure.

The Chief Justice would appear before an eleven-member select committee comprising seven government members and four opposition MPs.

Meanwhile, the National Movement for Social Justice headed by Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera said it would meet more than 70 organisations including civil groups, trade unions, clergy and lawyers today. “We will meet to discuss how we could collectively take action on this matter for the betterment of the future,” the movement’s Secretary Dr. Ranjith Cabraal said.

He said they were confident that they could collectively take a suitable course of action to ensure the protection of the judicial system and to protect people’s rights.