Charges against CJ:
Procedure constitutional - Bogollagama
Athapattu Bandara
The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed by the Speaker to
probe charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike was a laid down
procedure found in the constitution. The Standing Orders are created
under the constitution by the legislature in dealing with certain
specific areas for which the legislature’s functions have been
determined by the creators of the constitution, former Foreign Minister
Rohitha Bogollagama said.
He was addressing the media with PSC chairman minister Anura
Priyadarshana Yapa on the theme ‘Insight on the impeachment motion’ at
the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on Wednesday.
Bogollagama said the constitution has explained the parameters of
each institution and organ of the country created by the constitution.
“That includes the Legislature, the Executive along with the Judiciary,”
he said.
“Everybody in the House agreed the procedure was constitutional and
nobody has yet voiced against it,” he said.
“I don’t think we should get into any areas of debate over this
interpretation. It is straight forward,” Bogollagama said.
He said the interpretation of law in relation to the constitution
lies with the Supreme Court.
“Parties can canvass this matter before court and we must respect
their right to canvass. But at the same time, there is no determination
as yet before us in terms of the legality or the constitutionality
arising in terms of the very provisions that the PSC was
unconstitutional,” Bogollagama said. “There is no ruling that this is
unconstitutional. Therefore, it is time that we go ahead in terms of the
process that is already embarked on and the findings have already been
announced containing a report which is very transparent. I think the
process is something that we all have to respect. That is what is found
within the constitution,” he said.
Asked on the international response over these proceedings, the
former foreign minister said no country would interfere when matters are
domestic.
“They would be worried only if the government is harming the
country’s democracy by violating the constitution. The international
community has never pressurised us in relation to this matter. We
maintain a good relationship by explaining what is really going on Sri
Lanka. No country has so far expressed their displeasure or objections
over the Chief Justice’s impeachment motion,” he said. |