Midweek Politics: Apathy In The Aftermath
Dharisha Bastians
A return to the status quo seems inevitable in the impeachment aftermath. A new administration at Hulftsdorp, a dormant Opposition, and a disengaged people look towards the challenges facing Sri Lanka in 2013, the bulk of them perceived to be from across its borders, while the true enemy – apathy in the face of arrogant power – lies within
The old world is dying away, and the new world struggles to come forth: now is the time of monsters – Antonio Gramsci
One week after its installation, the new order at Hulftsdorp is making sweeping changes to the administration of the country’s apex court house.
The Supreme Court Registrar Duminda Mudunkotuwa and Secretary to impeached Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, Geethani Wijesinghe will be transferred to Balangoda and Ruwanwella respectively as District Judges effective today. Both officials, requested the transfers, official reports say. Ironically, they leave their offices at the Superior Court Complex on the same day that ceremonial sittings were held the court house to welcome the new Chief Justice, Mohan Peiris.
Mired in controversy, the ceremonial sitting for the country’s 44th holder of the office of Chief Justice was blacked out to all local and international media, with only the state-controlled media permitted to enter the Supreme Court that police personnel once again made off limits to journalists and photographers. It also marked the first time in history that the Bar Association President and the country’s most eminent lawyers were absent at this traditional function to welcome a new Chief Justice.
During an extraordinary general meeting in December, some 3,000 members of the Bar Association passed a resolution to refrain from attending the ceremonial sitting of a successor if Chief Justice Bandaranayake was unlawfully impeached. Traditionally, a ceremonial sitting is held after the Bar Association makes an official request for an opportunity to welcome a new chief justice, in a time honoured legal tradition. During the function, two addresses are made, one by the President of the Bar Association as the head of the unofficial bar, and the Attorney General, as the head of the official bar.
Video: Alan Keenan’s Keynote Address At Canadian Tamil Congress’ Annual Dinner
Alan Keenan of International Crisis Group delivered the keynote address at Canadian Tamil Congress’ Annual Dinner on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Read the text here
Video courtesy Canadian Tamil Congress
