GL clashes with Canadian Senator over CJ impeachment

23 March 2013 12:59 am

A heated exchange took place at a guest-lecture by visiting Canadian Senator Hugh Segal at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute yesterday when the impeachment of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake arose during the ensuing question and answer session.

Responding to a journalist, Senator Segal said the Canadian Federal Court and the Supreme Court had given many rulings against the Canadian Government on the issue of the ‘first nations’, which constitute four percent of the total population.

“We [the government] have suffered as a matter from our courts but we didn’t impeach the Chief Justice as a result,” the Senator said.

Making his closing remarks External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L Peiris lashed out at Mr. Segal for his comment on the impeachment.

“I take exception to this remark which was the only unwarranted and inappropriate remark made. Had I not been your host I would have reacted more sharply. I would not have dreamt of making such a remark if I were visiting your country. I am appalled and taken aback by it because there is no nexus in this,” Prof. Peiris said. (Hafeel Farisz and Lahiru Pothmulla)