Impeachment motion saved us _ GK depositors

Golden Key depositors yesterday said Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake was to throw out their case at the next hearing when the impeachment motion was listed in the Order Paper in Parliament.

Golden Key Depositors’ Association Secretary Malcolm de Silva said the Chief Justice was to throw out the case citing that the President to prorogue Parliament as a measure to resolve problems pertaining to the impeachment of Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka.

The three Leftist coalition partners presented their letter of request to President Rajapaksa on Sunday.

Prof Vitharana said: “The President said the impeachment process is now ongoing and the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) has already submitted their report on the impeachment proceedings which is to be debated in Parliament after January 8.

“It is up to Parliament to decide whether or not to accept the impeachment charges, which will be based on the findings of the PSC report.” He said the resolution will then be subjected to a vote.

“A simple majority will be enough to pass the resolution. If the Chief Justice has proven charges against her, the report of the resolution, will allow the President to remove her from office,” Prof Vitharana said.

This process has been followed in the past and it will not change, he said.

“Nothing is going to change in the procedure, which is a constitutional process. The situation can change if the Chief Justice resigns from her position,” Prof Vitharana said.

He said then it will not be necessary to hold a debate in Parliament.

Asked if there was any validity in the petition Dr Bandaranayaka filed before the Appeal Court challenging her PSC hearing, Prof Vitharana said it does not have any effect and no court shall issue notice to Parliament.

Asked if the PSC must appear before the Appeal Court as per notice issued on them by it, he said: “They do not need to appear before any Court. “It is clearly stated that Parliament carries out its proceedings on its own, and the Judiciary theirs. They have no authority to interfere with proceedings of Parliament.”