Sarath Silva suggests CJ steps down

If he once commanded thousands of troops and led them to the military defeat of Tiger guerrillas, former General Sarath Fonseka has now become a political orphan.

Two stalwarts of his Democratic Party - Tiran Alles and Arjuna Ranatunga - both Parliamentarians, have resigned. That leaves only one MP - Jayantha Ketagoda - with him. Even three UNP Parliamentarians who backed Fonseka have now backtracked in the face of disciplinary action against them.

His other partner in politics, former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva also appears to have parted ways.

Silva has been voicing strong opinions in favour of the UPFA since his chance meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This was when they met at the funeral of former Supreme Court Judge, Raja Wanasundera. If he defended Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake in the weeks before the impeachment resolution was introduced in Parliament, Silva has now said or suggested in a radio talk-show that she should step down because the "charges are of a serious nature."

In an interview with our sister newspaper, Irida Lankadeepa, the former Chief Justice has said, "Impeachment against Chief Justices are nothing new in this country…… the current Chief Justice has gone a step further. It is not correct to make a statement against the President. She may have thought the people will rally round her and help her. That is not correct".

Fonseka, on the other hand, has condemned the resolution and defended the Chief Justice.