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PSC report to Speaker today?
The Parliamentary Select Committee ((PSC) which wrapped up its inquiries into the 14 charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, is expected to hand over its report to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today.
According to the Standing Order 78 a (1), the Speaker should present it to Parliament for approval only after one month from the day it is handed over to him. Once it is passed in the House by a simple majority, it should be sent to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his endorsement. If this report is handed over to the Speaker today, it can be taken up for a vote only on January 8.
However, speculation was rife in political circles that the government was planning to amend this Standing Order so that the motion could be taken up in the House for a vote without waiting for a month.
In the absence of the four opposition members and the Chief Justice or her lawyers, the seven ruling party members continued with the PSC proceedings till late evening yesterday and compiled the report. Employees attached to certain sections of Parliament had been asked to stay late even after the business of the House was over at 7.00 pm.
For the first time, the PSC had summoned relevant officials to gather evidence to prove the charges against the Chief Justice. Among those who testified before the Committee are Supreme Court Judge Shirani Thilakawardane, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Judicial Services Commission Secretary Manjula Tilakaratne and top officials of the government and private institutions mentioned in charges.
Speaker Rajapaksa appointed this Select Committee in accordance with Article 107 of the Constitution after a resolution signed by 117 members of the ruling party sought to remove the Chief Justice from office. It started meeting on November 14.
The Committee consisted of 11 members- four from the opposition and seven from the ruling party.
The ruling party members are Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera, Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Dilan Perera, Fisheries Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha. (KB and YP)
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