Judiciary silenced; a dark chapter in Sri Lanka’s history

= Two CJs now: Shirani claims she still holds office but heavy force used to prevent her from entering court premises

= �UNHRC chief issues scathing attack, Canada initiates moves that may get Lanka suspended from Commonwealth

By Our Political Editor-Sunday, January 20, 2013

Clad in a purple blouse and black pants, Shirani Bandaranayake, who maintains she is still Chief Justice, was at the Arpico supermarket in Hyde Park last Sunday afternoon.

Together with her husband Pradeepa and son Shaveen, Ms. Bandaranayake was engaged in shopping of a different kind – buying up plastic crates and collecting large corrugated carton boxes. There was no security detail to protect her. Every now and then, she was accosted by well-wishers. Some shook her hands to wish her well and say how much they admired her. Others greeted her with clasped hands and a traditional bow. It was obviously with reverence to the office she held and for not succumbing to enormous pressure to quit. Except for a broad smile and a thank you, she remained tight lipped.

Ousted Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake leaving her official residence along with her son. Pic by Indika Handuwala

Returning to her official bungalow, right opposite the British High Commission at Bauddhaloka Mawatha-Wijerama Road intersection, the family broke rest till late into the night. They were packing their belongings into the crates and boxes. Only hours earlier, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had written to her that she was being removed from office. Two persons, one an official and another, an officer from the Presidential Security Division, dressed in suits turned up to deliver the letter last Sunday. So the next morning, (Monday) a national holiday on account of Thai Pongal, lorries of a house moving company were transporting personal belongings to her own residence at Lake Drive in Rajagiriya. It continued on Tuesday, an eventful day where there were a number of historic developments.

On Sunday evening, Rajapaksa placed his signature to a warrant appointing Mohan Peiris, legal advisor to the cabinet, as Chief Justice. He was sworn in on Monday, a holiday. Hence he was expected to assume office on Tuesday. This is perhaps the first time in the world that there are two Chief Justices, Shirani Bandaranayake, who took her oaths on May 17, 2011 and Mohan Peiris sworn in last Monday.

The official website of the Supreme Court (www.supremecourt.lk/) only gave a very brief biographical sketch of Peiris where some of the positions he held immediately before President Rajapaksa named him Chief Justice were left out. One such omission was the fact that he was Chairman of Seylan Bank, the flagship of the now beleaguered Ceylinco Group of companies. Perhaps inadvertently, the website also left out the name of Justice Eva Wanasundera from the list of Supreme Court Judges when it hurriedly included the name of Peiris to head the list. Even access to recent Supreme Court rulings remained blocked on Friday.

More than 600 police officers, some armed and contingents of soldiers carrying assault rifles, were deployed for duty in and around the superior courts complex in Hulftsdorp and the official bungalow of the Chief Justice at Bullers Road-Wijerama Road intersection. This is in addition to a posse of plainclothesmen that included those from state intelligence agencies being deployed in the two venues. Last Tuesday morning, the Government was not taking any chances of seeing two Chief Justices scurrying for one seat. So plans were in place to stop the older office holder and allow the newcomer. Armed police personnel stood guard at the entry and exit points to the Chief Justice’s office. Police conducted checks on vehicles entering the courts complex. All were under clear instructions not to let in Ms. Bandaranayake. Read More