Ceremonial sittings for new CJ amid controversy

21 January 2013 11:33 pm Views - 5224

The ceremonial sittings for the newly appointed Chief Justice Mohan Peiris will be held tomorrow, amid the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) standing by its earlier decision to boycott it.

An official from the Supreme Court Registrar’s office told the Daily Mirror that the ceremonial sittings would be held tomorrow at 10 am at the 501 main hall of the Superior Courts complex in the Hulftsdorp.

The BASL, the policy making body of Sri Lankan legal fraternity reaffirmed its decision not to participate in the ceremonial sitting for the government appointed Chief Justice.

The BASL President Wijayadasa Rajapakshe said the bar will stick to its decision taken on a resolution on December 15 at a Special General Meeting with the participation of more than 3,300 members representing different bars.

He said rumours were being spread inviting the members for the ceremonial sitting. Mr. Rajapakshe said BASL officials would stick to the decision and would not participate at the event.

“The Bar cannot welcome the newly appointed Chief Justice at the ceremonial without the participation of the head of the BASL,” Mr. Rajapakshe said and confirmed he would not be present at the ceremony.

Traditionally the BASL Chief or the unofficial bar welcomes the newly appointed CJ while the Attorney General representing the official bar speaks after him.  ( Susitha R. Fernando)