Nobody will have any objection to Justice K.Sripavan being elevated to the position of Chief Justice. He has been as non-controversial a member of the judiciary as one could wish for. It is our hope that his lordship will be able to bring some calm and quiet to an office that has known nothing but controversy and turbulence over the past 15 years. However, no one can possibly approve of the events that preceded his appointment. Last Thursday was a black day in the history of the judiciary of this country. Ever since President Mahinda Rajapaksa was voted out of office, during the past three weeks there were demonstrations by lawyers and various agitators for the resignation of the chief justice. This reached a highpoint when a group of agitators invaded the chief justice’s official residence on Wednesday night and allegedly threatened him demanding his resignation.
January 31, 2015