PSC rejects observers

Wednesday, 05 December 2012 08:25

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) yesterday refused permission to the Sri Lanka Bar Association or the Commonwealth to observe its proceedings when probing charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, informed sources said yesterday.

The Chief Justice, accompanied by her lawyers Romesh de Silva PC, Nalin Ladduwahetti PC, Iraj de Silva, Saliya Peiris, K. Neelakandan, R. Ameen and Sugath Kaldera, appeared before the PSC for the second time yesterday.

Strict security measures were in place in and around the parliamentary complex in view of the arrival of the Chief Justice.

It is learnt that Romesh de Silva PC had asked for observer status in the PSC for interested parties such as the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. However, it had been rejected by PSC Chairman and Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. The four opposition members also spoke in support of the Chief Justice’s lawyers on this issue. The proceedings began at 10.30 am. The sittings were suspended at 1.00 pm for lunch.

The PSC Chairman even offered lunch at the parliamentary complex for the Chief Justice and her lawyers but she refused to have her lunch inside Parliament. After the lunch break, she returned to the parliament complex at 2.45 p.m. Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Kushan Subasinghe had been assigned to receive her at the entrance to the complex. Unlike the last time, police officers on duty saluted her this time.

The Chief Justice’s lawyers also raised concerns over the failure on the part of the PSC to submit documentary evidence on the 14 charges against her.
Meanwhile, the main opposition UNP is to make a statement in Parliament today about the way forward for the PSC.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga said his party would like to know the criteria for future proceedings of the Select Committee. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

Comments

-4+24 # mamath 2012-12-05 08:32

nose dive commenced..just like Iran..

-3+27 # Hardball 2012-12-05 08:44

Of course the PSC does not want the "vinoda samaya " to be seen by outsiders.

-3+20 # Fairose 2012-12-05 11:17

No, PSC doesnt want their ignorance exposed.

-36+2 # Ryan 2012-12-05 08:50

They can not have as it is against the constitution ,I as a citizen of Sri Lanka strongly objected to that. We have representation from both sides in the PSC, thats it.

-3+26 # Spodisingho 2012-12-05 09:03

This is obvious that they will not allow observers into the PSC as it will dispaly the stupidity of the counsil to the entire world.

-2+18 # Impartial guy 2012-12-05 09:05

PSC Chairman, if do not have anything to hide,why don't you permit observers at the probe which makes your investigation probe professional. Now local intellectuals and International world will be of the opinion that as usual this investigation probe is another gimmick of this government. Be smart and consider the transferency.. Already government started losing points on this impeachment investigation issue.

-2+15 # sbd 2012-12-05 09:05

If government belives that it has a solid case against CJ why can not it move courts of justice legally empowered to sit in judgement of the same rather than hiding behind parliamentary privileges to set up an arbitrary committee?. No body would have questioned such action & country would have come clean too. This is ample evidence then that government has something fishy to hide!. People are fully alive to this now & this will over rides all other issues at the next election.

-2+16 # Jamieson 2012-12-05 09:12

Can the 4 opposition PSC members refuse to participate should they view this proceedings as a kangaroo court with the committee loaded with govt members hell bent on ousting the CJ without allowing its actions to be observed by outside parties who represent the people who is supreme over the 3 organs of govt. PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBSERVE AND KNOW THAT THIS INQUIRY IS IMPARTIAL.

-5+18 # buffaloa citizen 2012-12-05 09:17

It is similar to observers, journalists and INGO's were sent out during the war and murdering of innocent tamils were done. Looks like the CJ is also going to end up the same way, al carte State Authority.

-3+14 # Hong Kong John 2012-12-05 09:58

Why? If everything is above board and transparent, what have they got to hide?

-2+0 # Justin Keppetiyagama 2012-12-05 14:43

When there is nothing valid to expose,what is there to hide

-1+1 # Justin Keppetiyagama 2012-12-05 14:48

Government is paving the way for C.J to be the next common Presidential candidate

-3+14 # Silas 2012-12-05 10:14

They will nominate the observers as well!!

-2+16 # Thomas 2012-12-05 10:35

The matter about CJ is made public, why are you afraid to have independent observers???????????

-2+1 # LeeCA 2012-12-05 14:25

intl. conspiracy

-1+11 # v perera 2012-12-05 10:40

what has the rajapakses got to hide.

-6+6 # Minister 2012-12-05 10:41

True enough. Observers are allowed only if the proceedings is unbiased and impartial!

-2+15 # Sri bhadrakaali 2012-12-05 10:49

International observers must intervene forcefully..

-7+2 # buwa 2012-12-05 11:44

ow ow hama ekatama international community ekat p... denna oona. nathnam hari na.....

-2+6 # prf 2012-12-05 12:09

WAY TO DICTATOR

-2+10 # Cobbler 2012-12-05 12:37

Why so scared, if the chrges are true.

-3+10 # Ranjith 2012-12-05 13:34

Next March, at Geneewa these idiotic politicians going to have for that

-2+4 # Andrew Pitugala 2012-12-05 17:30

IF THE WHOLE PROCESS IS HONOURABLE AND FAIR WHAT IS THE NEED TO HIDE ?

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post.

Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.