UNP to meet other parties on counter moves

Parliament had not made any request from the President to remove the Chief Justice, as such, a resolution was never included in the Order Book

In the back drop of the removal of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake from her post, the main Opposition UNP is planning to discuss with other opposition political parties to decide on a course of counter action.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told Daily Mirror that his party would have discussions with other parties shortly on the situation and decide on a course of action.

In the back drop of the removal of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake from her post, the main Opposition UNP is planning to discuss with other opposition political parties to decide on a course of counter action.

Mr. Attanayake who lashed out at the government for the removal of the Chief Justice from her post, said it was an unconstitutional move. He said Parliament had not made any request from the President to remove the Chief Justice, as such, a resolution was never included in the Order Book.

He added what was included in the Order Book was the request made by 117 MPs to appoint a Select Committee to look into the 14 charges made against the Chief Justice.

Therefore he said this was a violation of the Standing Orders as a vote was taken up without a resolution.

UNP General Secretary said his party would create awareness of this situation to the local pop- ulation and among the international community.

Meanwhile, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday that the government had gone back on its word unimaginably as it had removed the Chief Justice by fully forgetting the assurance given to appoint an independent commission to look into the report submitted by the Select Committee.

Mr. Kiriella who was also a member of the select committee told Daily Mirror that government had become unimaginable as it was saying one thing and doing another thing.

He recalled that President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself promised to appoint an independent body but he had now gone back on his word.

“Removing the Chief Justice without appointing an independent committee is unimaginably unreasonable move,” he said.