President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday reinstated Shirani Bandaranayake, Sri Lanka’s first woman Chief Justice, days after restoration of all ranks of a former Army chief, reversing the controversial decisions of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“Shirani Bandaranayake has been restored on the basis that procedure adopted to remove her during the tenure of President Rajapaksa was flawed,” J.C. Weliamuna, Convener of the Lawyers’ Collective attorney-at-law, said.
Ms. Bandaranayke arrived at the court complex on Wednesday afternoon where she received a grand welcome from the lawyers.
Ms. Bandaranayke was unceremoniously removed from the Supreme Court in 2013 by the Rajapaksa government, always insisted that she was still the “legal” Chief Justice of the country.
Her restoration came following a letter sent to current Chief Justice Mohan Peiris by Mr. Sirisena, which stated that Justice Peiris’ appointment was illegal as Ms. Bandaranayake had been sacked under a flawed process.
Mr. Weliamuna said Justice Peiris has been asked to resign gracefully to pave the way for her.
