Former CJ treated worse than a common criminal - UNP

The United National Party today said that the people of Sri Lanka “unequivocally and unreservedly condemn” the appointment of Mohan Peiris as the Chief Justice and still consider Shirani Bandaranayake as the country’s top judge.

“It is the position of all those in Sri Lanka who believe in democracy and the rule of law that Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake is, and continues to be, the lawful Chief Justice of Sri Lanka,” MP Mangala Samaraweera said.

He stated that it is unprecedented in the history of our country for a head of government to “so blatantly violate” the constitution, undermine the authority of the judiciary and destroy the rule of law.

In doing so, the President has demonstrated the callous disregard for international law, and the fundamental principles and values of the Commonwealth, which Sri Lanka, as the next host of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, is bound to respect and espouse, he said.

The UNP parliamentarian further claimed that the appointment of Mr. Peiris, who he claims on numerous occasions has defended the Government’s dubious Human Rights record and made claims “which have yet to be established as true” in addition to serving as an advisor to the cabinet and Defense Ministry, as the head of the judiciary will result in Sri Lanka becoming an international “pariah state”.

The Matara District MP alleged that the former Attorney-General was chosen by the government because “they are certain of being able to wield their influence completely and unequivocally over every court of the land.”

“This regime stands exposed today, for precisely what it has become.” Drunk on its popularity created by the victory over the LTTE, the government has turned on the people and is no longer interested in hiding its autocratic face, he said in a statement issued today. 

Samaraweera further charged that the government has vilified and insulted the country’s first woman Chief Justice by treating her worse than a common criminal.

“The road ahead of us has never seemed quite so dangerous.” It is necessary to awaken to this injustice and dictatorial trend now, or be doomed to suffer its consequences for decades to come, he said.

“The decision of the President to make this illegal, unconstitutional appointment to the judiciary’s highest chair is nothing short of a national betrayal,” he said.