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Video: JVP urges CJ to resign

21 Jan 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

Questioning his appointment and his conduct during the night of presidential election, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna  (JVP) today urged Chief Justice (CJ) Mohan Peiris to step down from his post.

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a media briefing about questions over the process which led to the present Chief Justice’s appointment and the removal of the former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike from the post.

He said there was no motion to impeach Dr. Bandaranaiake from the post of Chief Justice in the Parliament order book and that the motion was only to examine her conduct and in such a scenario the appointment of the present CJ raises several questions.

Mr. Dissanayake asked why the CJ was present at Temple Trees on January 8 and had a private discussion with the former President because it was the practice for CJ to meet the president only publicly to discuss matters of public importance.

He said his party would take steps to remove him in keeping with provisions provided by the constitution in such instances if the CJ refuses to resign.

Mr. Dissanayake said the alleged coup on election night should be probed and the perpetrators brought to book and added that his party had proposed to the National Executive Committee that a senior police officer be appointed to probe this alleged coup and the report submitted to the council within a week. (Yohan Perera and Sanath Desmond)