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CC goes above Legislature, Executive, Judiciary: Prez

21 February 2019 07:33 pm - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena said today the Constitutional Council (CC) had gone above all three arms of the government; the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

He made this remark during an adjournment debate on the CC held last evening in Parliament.

He said the CC had rejected 14 names of judicial officers – without any given reason – which he sent to be appointed to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

“These 14 officers keep asking me as to why they were rejected. They come to me because they cannot go before the CC. I keep wondering if I don’t have any right to know the reasons for this rejection because I am the executive president of the country. As per the 19th Amendment, the CC is expected to work in a transparent manner. One could question where there is transparency when reasons for rejection are not divulged. Civil society members and intellectuals have also come to the conclusion that the CC is politicised,” he said.

The President said the CC had failed to prepare criteria to be followed when taking decisions with regard to appointments.

Responding to the comments made by the Speaker as the head of CC, the Prime Minister and several MPs on his previous statement, Mr. Sirisena said he had not rejected any of the judicial officers who had already been appointed. He said there was an issue involving those who were not appointed.

The President also referred to the appointment of the Attorney General and the IGP. “The procedure adopted when appointing the IGP was not ethical,” he said, while highlighting that civil society members were absent during the appointment of the police chief.

“I must state that I am not opposed to the Speaker, the Prime Minister or anyone else. But my purpose here is to clarify criticism against me,” he said. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 13

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  • Rr Thursday, 21 February 2019 08:12 PM

    My katinda kiyanne nodakin

    Trash Guy Thursday, 21 February 2019 08:51 PM

    Remember when you went above all those institutions????

    Krish Subra Thursday, 21 February 2019 08:58 PM

    After all, CC has to leave some of the recommended names.

    Mr. Wonderful Thursday, 21 February 2019 09:52 PM

    Mr. President, go back to worrying about the quality of cashew nuts on Sri Lankan Airlines flights. How the CC works is clearly too much for you to comprehend.

    City Thursday, 21 February 2019 10:21 PM

    Sir,then what happened on the famous Friday night is correct?

    Coconut Republic Thursday, 21 February 2019 10:28 PM

    You are right to a good extend

    Sarath Thursday, 21 February 2019 11:06 PM

    General public is very happy about the names being approved by the CC. If they are rejecting names, maybe there is an issue with the names you are sending. 1) Your nominee for CA President was NOT RECOMMENDED by the Chief Justice. Why don't you send a name which is thought to be suitable by the Chief Justice? 2) With regard to the appointment of the present AG (overlooking the senior-most officer in the AGs Department), it was you who recommended the present AGs name (and correctly so). This was accepted by the CC. So you too have acted on the basis that the seniority is not the only criteria. 3) Again, with regard to the present Chief Justice, you thought it fit to nominate a person who was the 4th or 5th in terms of seniority. This was accepted by the CC as the person was fit to be CJ. Again you have acted on the basis that the seniority is not the only criteria. So why are you bickering now? Are there unsuitable people you want to appoint? If so, why???

    wijekoon Thursday, 21 February 2019 11:10 PM

    President wants what ever a reason to attack the present government after failure of his unconstitutional move.If the 19th amendment had not been introduced it is unimaginable how arbitrarily he would have acted in state affairs as witnessed in resent past. As a citizen of SL I must also like to mention that the economic ideology he is going to plant in the country is also out dated and it was OK for the country fifty years ago.This is 21st century and world is inter dependent and if we need to have a better living standard the export oriented economy is a must.The only way to come out of the present economic quagmire is the strategy of the prime minister.But opportunistic and short sighted politics of the country are working hell bent against it.Most of the local politicians and some Buddhist monks want the country to be kept in the dark by encouraging the people to be satisfied with enjoying the culture and religion.

    Rew Friday, 22 February 2019 11:33 AM

    He thinks he is above the law. Definitely out of his mind.

    Buddhist Friday, 22 February 2019 12:50 AM

    Since President was judged to have violated the constitution, he has no right even to question about CC. The judgement against him alone proves that the selection of the CC are correct.

    Ram Perera Friday, 22 February 2019 01:41 AM

    If the reasons are made public some of them may shit in their pants through shame

    Samantha Friday, 22 February 2019 02:19 AM

    That is what we all wanted to be. That is why we change the Govt. In 2015. We really don't wanted see any kind of interferences from executive or legislature. That is the reason for entire imo has voted for you. If you don't understand that simple truth, just don't try to understand now. It's too late. You have few months left. But don't try to come back. God sake, for your own good don't.

    An apolitical citizen Friday, 22 February 2019 03:28 AM

    The CC is a must when we have as leaders unworthy of high office in this day and age They are not the learned types who could evaluate and act in the best interests of the country without bias. Thy will only look towards their political needs. It is abundantly clear that the Constitutional coup for extension of life proved that and thanks to an erudite JUDICIARY SEVEN HONOURABLE persons settled the matter in the best interests of democracy. THE MAN WHO VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION CLINGS ON LIKE A LIMPET If the facts are correct all parties are represented and no single party has control over the CC. Independent commissions are a must today


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