CJ TRANSFERRED MAGISTRATE RE’HUSBAND’S CASE
‘He was to hear the case involving Pradeep
Kariyawasam’ - Mervyn Silva:
Chaminda Perera
Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake’s husband Pradeep Kariyawasam
was in the habit of withdrawing money worth Rs 25 million from the
National Savings Bank of which he was the chairman.
He used to invest these state funds in the share market and the
profit derived from the investment was credited to his personal bank
accounts for sometime, Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister
Mervyn Silva said yesterday. Minister Silva hit out at the Chief Justice
for transferring the magistrate who was to hear the bribery and
corruption case against her husband. He said she cannot hold the post of
the Judicial Services Commission chairman when charges were framed
against her husband under the Bribery or Corruption Act.
“Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake tried to cover up her misdeeds,
initially by appearing before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC)
for three days, and she walked out of the PSC abruptly as she was
convinced that charges against her are on the verge of being proved by
the committee,” he said.
Addressing a press conference at his office yesterday, Minister Silva
said the lawyers who appeared on behalf of her in the PSC should have
advised her that she should not appear before the PSC at the very
outset.
When she realised that serious charges against her are on the verge
of being proven by the committee with a number of persons including her
colleagues giving evidence over her misconduct, her lawyers advised her
not to appear before it, the minister said. Minister Silva asked as to
why they did not face the PSC investigation.
“She failed to file objection over the first, second and third
charges of the impeachment motion.”
Minister Silva said there was no clash between the Judiciary,
Legislature or the Executive and the appointment of the PSC was purely
under the 1978 Constitution. He was of the view that the lawyers and the
justices know what the truth is. Minister Silva said they were ready to
take a decision over her post by January 8. The minister said she should
step down from her post with dignity or she should be removed soon.
“No body should be allowed to play truant in the country which was
freed from the clutches of terrorists.”
He said the country which was saved by the Security Forces with the
blessings of Maha Sangha cannot be allowed to be reigned by
extortionists or corrupt individuals. “None can be allowed to deprive
the democratic rights of the people,” the minister said.
“She has been empowered to inspect the dossier with regard to the
case which was being heard against her husband in the Magistrate Court
while holding the post of Judicial Services Commission chairman.”
The minister queried as to how justice can be expected from her under
such a situation.
He said none of the Justices in the Bench has written the judgment.
“The Chief Justice must have given advice to write this judgment,” he
said. Minister Silva said she played a political drama in the Supreme
Court premises with the support of lawyers who stood against country
when the Security Forces were fighting one of the most ruthless
terrorist outfits in the world.
He said the LTTE diaspora is providing funds to these lawyers for
raising their voice for the embattled Chief Justice.
The minister said the Chief Justice has a separate gate to come and
leave the Supreme Court premises and she has to use her official
vehicle.
Minister Silva said she left for Parliament to give evidence before
the PSC with much fanfare. “It was a political drama. It was like a
candidate leaving his residence to hand over nominations for election
with rousing support of his party members,” he said.
The minister said she left the Supreme Court complex from the back
door and used the vehicle offered by Neelakandan and Neelakanthan Law
Firm .
Minister Silva said the Chief Justice is not in a position to forget
the lawyers and her colleagues who dashed coconuts for her and shouted
slogans on behalf of her.
“It was the first day in the history of the Judiciary that the post
of the Chief Justice was auctioned,” he said.
Sabaragamuwa University Chancellor Prof Kuburugamuwe Vajira Thera and
Dhammaransi Foundation chairman Ven Galagama Dhammaransi Thera also
spoke. Vidyalankara Pririvena lecturer Ven Neluwakande Gnananda Thera
was also present. |