Pakistan CJ disowns letter over Lankan CJ removal

15 February 2013 06:47 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Two Vice Presidents of International Council of Jurists (ICJ) and Pakistan’s Chief Justice have contradicted the letter issued to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Council President Dr. Adish C. Agrawal approving the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and expressing support to new CJ Mohan Peiris.

Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Ministry gave wide publicity to this letter with the names of the vice presidents of the ICJ.

Two British jurists who were cited as vice presidents of the ICJ protested against statement to the President Rajapaksa and claimed they were not aware about the letter to Sri Lanka on the controversial impeachment. This statement has led Justice Gavin to resign from the Council which had issued the controversial statement.

Two weeks ago, writing to the Sri Lankan President, International Council of Jurists (ICJ) President, Dr. Adish C. Agrawal justified the impeachment of Shirani Bandaranayake and approved the procedure followed.

Mr. Agrawal who is also the President of the All India Bar Association had written to President Rajapaksa, “We take this opportunity to assure that the Sri Lankan Government has not committed wrong in removing Chief Justice Ms. Shirani Bandaranayake as the removal proceedings were absolutely in accordance with the prevalent Sri Lankan laws.”

Responding to situation one of the vice presidents and a British Jurist, Sir Justice Gavin Lightman told Daily Mirror “I was never consulted on the statement issued by Mr. Agrawal purportedly on behalf of the (Indian) International Council of Jurists on the topic of the impeachment of the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. If I had been consulted, I would have strongly objected.”

Pakistan’s Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has also disassociated himself from the ICJ statement on the impeachment of Dr. Bandaranayake.

“It is clarified that no support has ever been extended by Chief Justice of Pakistan to the decision of removing the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake,” a statement issued by the Pakistan’s Supreme Court said.

“It was not its role to issue public statements on controversial topics such as the impeachment of the chief justice without the agreement of its officers and in particular its international vice presidents,” British High Court judge Justice Gavin said in an exclusive interview.

Informing his resignation from the Council over the controversial letter sent to Sri Lankan President over the impeachment of Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice Gavin has written to Mr. Agrawal expressing his protest and his decision to disassociate himself from the Council’s move.

Meanwhile, another vice president and British jurist, Lord Baron Navnit Dholakia whose name was mentioned as a vice president in the ICJ website, told the Daily Mirror that he had no connection to the said letter and in fact he had disassociated himself from the Council sometime ago.(Susitha R. Fernando )

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Comments - 19

Maha Rajanani Friday, 15 February 2013 09:36 AM

Letter shows the power of SL, some disagree though.

perumal Saturday, 16 February 2013 04:13 PM

Who paid Agrawal how much?

Raj Ratnam Saturday, 16 February 2013 12:38 PM

In India anything could be bought.

Rata Haraka Saturday, 16 February 2013 08:15 AM

Badu maattu. Boruwa ahuwuna. Hoo, hoo.

Mark Saturday, 16 February 2013 12:00 AM

This is not the real ICJ. The real ICJ is the International Commission of Jurists which is a reputed world body. via DM Android App

echo Friday, 15 February 2013 12:00 AM

Another lie of many by our External Affairs Ministry bared! via DM Android App

Mushi Friday, 15 February 2013 12:00 AM

mekata thama kiyanne sarama gelavuna kiyala.okkoma penawa via DM Android App

Mohamed Friday, 15 February 2013 04:15 PM

ALL ARE CORRUPTED

GC Friday, 15 February 2013 12:50 PM

Lie by whom?

RamUK Friday, 15 February 2013 12:36 PM

3rd world country advise another 3rd world country poor burgers....

Nimal Friday, 15 February 2013 07:05 AM

No wonder nobody want to go to Pakistan and play cricket

Pasel Friday, 15 February 2013 09:34 AM

Pakistan is another country doesn't have law in order

Bodu Bala Sena Friday, 15 February 2013 09:15 AM

first read it fully please - you have not read it!

Dulan de Silva Friday, 15 February 2013 08:22 AM

After splitting the UNP,JVP,SLMC etc now MR is splitting the ICJ

kali Friday, 15 February 2013 08:16 AM

No doubt Agarwal was paid by MR to write this and it is very easy to Bribe an Indian

Mason Friday, 15 February 2013 08:06 AM

The government maintained that they were correct in removing the CJ. It being so what was the necessity in wanting, that too in secrecy to get Mr. Agrawal to confirm their action. Mr. Agrawal having issued the letter without consulting others is in itself is very wrong.
The question to be asked is what favours were granted to get this letter. He would not have issued it for the mere asking.

V Andrew Friday, 15 February 2013 07:24 AM

Looks like a 'Made in Sri Lanka' letter!

Trevin Perera Friday, 15 February 2013 07:24 AM

How many dollars passed for this statement?

Silva de Mervin Friday, 15 February 2013 07:14 AM

Lies, further lies!

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Pakistan CJ disowns letter over Lankan CJ removal

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