All institutions under political influence and threat

by Sachin Parathalingam-Wednesday, 07 Aug 2013

Hulftsdorp is buzzing with activity following the summoning of controversially impeached Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, to Court after the Bribery Commission began investigating her alleged failure to declare assets as statutorily required. The impeachment of Dr. Bandaranayake, which was in defiance of a Supreme Court order, sparked widespread condemnation from the unofficial bar and the international community. Meanwhile, a ‘cold war’ appears to be brewing between the upper judiciary and the unofficial bar, sparked by the decision of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to boycott the ceremonial welcome sitting for incumbent Chief Justice, Mohan Peiris, and the BASL’s exclusion from the ceremonial sitting to welcome Supreme Court, Justice Rohini Marasinghe. Ceylon Today spoke to President of the BASL, Attorney-at-Law, Upul Jayasuriya, regarding the notice issued on the former Chief Justice, the apparent rift between the BASL and Supreme Court, and the hurdles facing Sri Lanka’s legal system.

Following are excerpts:

All Institutions Under Political Influence and Threat by nelvely