Independent lawyers scoff at 'NGO Collective'
Chaminda Perera
Independent Lawyers yesterday called all junior lawyers not to damage
their professional careers by joining few lawyers who have identified
themselves as 'Lawyers' Collective'.
They added that these lawyers who launched a vicious campaign against
the country are funded by Non Governmental Organizations and they are
being manipulated by certain elements with the backing of bankrupt
political parties with the intention of destabilizing the country.
These Independent Lawyers said that a peaceful environment is
prevailing in the courts with the appointment of former Attorney General
Mohan Peiris PC as the Chief Justice. They welcomed the appointment of
new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, PC who played a pivotal role for the
country in the international platform.
Speaking at a special press conference at the BMICH yesterday, they
said that those who asked lawyers not to appear in courts in protest of
the impeachment motion that was being debated in Parliament, sent their
juniors to courts.
"The people have realized the massive campaign against the country
and it has taken a different shape in the form of Lawyers' Collective",
they said.
Independent Lawyers while scoffing at the idea that there was a
conflict between the Legislature and the Judiciary stressed that the
UPFA government was further strengthened by the impeachment process.
They said that people of all walks of life stood by the government at
this juncture to defeat insidious forces who used Chief Justice Dr.
Bandaranayaka as a cat's paw to destabilize the country.
Attorney-at-Law Saman Galappaththi of Public Campaign for Justice
said that the impeachment motion was part of a conspiracy launched by
certain countries with vested interests.
He said that some countries wanted to bring developing countries
under their control by aiding and abetting these types of conspiracies
to destabilize the country.
Galappaththi said that a group of people who do not want to see peace
in the country have connived with the bankrupt political parties against
the country.
These individuals are nurtured by Non Governmental Organizations, he
said.
Galapaththi said that these forces used Sarath Fonseka as a cat's paw
to destabilize the country and former Chief Justice Shirani
Bandaranayaka was also used for this sinister move.
He added that the people should be aware of these forces who have not
given up their vicious campaign against the country.
Attorney- at-Law Premaratne Silva of Sri Lanka Independent Young
Lawyers' Association said that foreign countries have no right to
interfere with the country's judicial process.
He said that Sri Lanka is a sovereign country and no country has a
right to interfere in the country's judicial process.
"We removed all shackles through 1972 Republican Constitution.
Attorney-at-Law Bandula Ellawala said that the Janatha Vimukthi
Peramuna still living in an era in which Athenians practised democracy
in the fifth and sixth centuries. This system is obsolete now, he said.
Ellawala said that 20 million people cannot gather in a place to hear
the case.
The impeachment motion was inquired by the Legislature which
comprises the representatives of the people. "These people's
representatives have been empowered to investigate the impeachment
charges against the Chief Justice under the constitution", he added.
He said that new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris has a pivotal role for
the country in the international arena.
He also commended the services of former Chief justice Dr. Shirani
Bandaranayaka for the judiciary. Attorney-at-Law B. Manawadu and lawyers
representing a number of independent associations expressed their views.
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