EX-CJ alleges some Bribery Commission members biased
Ousted Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, who appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, yesterday objected to the presence of certain members of the Commission alleging they were biased.
The Commission comprises Justice D.J. Balapatabendi (Chairman) Justice L.K. Wimalachandra and Dr. Jayantha Wickremaratne.
In her first public appearance since her controversial impeachment, Dr. Bandaranayake did not make any statement to the media and proceeded directly to the Commission office and thereafter she refused to make a statement to the Bribery Commission citing “apparent and actual bias by certain commissioners” and said it was a violation of natural justice.
The investigating officers requested Dr. Bandaranayake to file preliminary objections on April 1. This was agreed to by her lawyers.
Her lawyers informed investigating officers that she had not been told of the nature and scope of the inquiry and as such she was in no position to give a
She refused to accede to the Bribery Commission request that she use the side entrance and instead arrived at the main gate of the Commission Office accompanied by her team of lawyers led by Nalin Laduwahetty PC and Sugath Caldera
statement to the Commission.
The officials had then briefly explained that the inquiry was based on the declaration of assets and liabilities.
Dr. Bandaranayake’s lawyers are expected to file submissions consequent to raising preliminary objections against members of the Commission.
She refused to accede to the Bribery Commission request that she use the side entrance and instead arrived at the main gate of the Commission Office accompanied by her team of lawyers led by Nalin Laduwahetty PC and Sugath Caldera. She was greeted by several lawyers and well-wishers but Dr. Bandaranayake did not make any comment on her way to the Commission office.
Those who had gathered outside held a silent protest and displayed placards which read, “Stop harassing the legal CJ”. After an inquiry lasting 45 minutes, Dr. Bandaranayake accompanied by Attorney-atlaw Sugath Caldera walked out of the Commission and was mobbed by eager media personnel.
She said, ‘no comment’ and proceeded towards her vehicle which was driven by her son Shaveen accompanied by her husband Pradeep Kariyawasam.