CJ’s lawyers demand suspension of PSC proceedings

December 7, 2012

Lawyers for Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, attorneys-at-law Neelakandan and Neelakandan have urged Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to suspend the proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), inquiring into the conduct of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, until the appointment of an independent and impartial panel.

The following is the full text of the letter sent to Speaker Rajapaksa: "As you are no doubt aware, our client has withdrawn from the proceedings of the Select Committee and the reasons have been given.

"We write to request you to deter any further action until an independent and impartial panel is appointed to inquire in to the allegations.

"Our Client is absolutely innocent of the allegations and is convinced that she will be exonerated of any wrongdoing by an independent and impartial tribunal.

"Our Client re-iterates that the charges are baseless and groundless and can easily be refuted. The issue is of broader and of wider relevance than our client’s rights and affects the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

"Thus in the interests of the judiciary and in the interests of the country and in the interests of our client, we request that our client be given the opportunity of vindicating herself before an independent and impartial tribunal.

The people of the Country (the Sovereign) have an inalienable right that their Chief Justice be given a fair trial by an independent and impartial tribunal in keeping with the universally accepted rule’s and norms.

"We annex herewith, for your ready reference, the proposal contained in the draft Constitution of the year 2000 with regard to the procedure for removal of the Judges (Chief Justice).

"Thus, we request you to defer from taking any further steps until an independent committee is appointed to inquire in to the matter."