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.