Acting on a resolution passed by Parliament with two-thirds majority, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday dismissed Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. She is the first to be impeached in the country’s history.
“President Mahinda Rajapaksa signed this morning the statement removing Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake from office with immediate effect in accordance with the resolution passed by Parliament on January 11, 2013,” said presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayake. “This measure was taken in terms of Article 107 (2) of the Constitution. The removal notice was delivered this morning [on Sunday] to the official residence of Dr. Bandaranayake by a Senior Assistant Secretary of the Presidential Secretariat and an officer of the Presidential Security Division.” The President said in the removal statement he was in agreement with the request for the removal of Ms. Bandaranayake from office made in the said address of Parliament, Mr. Samaranayake noted.
What does the international community intend to do now? Will it turn a blind eye and
continue to congratulate President Rajapakse like it did in the Human Rights Council
soon after the end of war in May 2009 for defeating LTTE? Will it approve one family
rule and accept responsibility for Tamils' political hardship or put meaningful actions
to resolve or secure a permanent solution to these problems?
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