UPFA collects 118 signatures to impeach CJ

31 October 2012 01:52 am Views - 18875

The constituent parties of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) decided yesterday, at a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to bring an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, Daily Mirror learns.

It is learnt that the leaders of the constitution parties had discussed the charges to be leveled against the CJ in such an exercise.

The government had collected 118 signatures from MPs for the motion that is to be handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa shortly.

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardane, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem, Jathika Hela Urumaya policy maker Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, EPDP leader Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda and Senior Minister Tissa Vitharana of Lankan Sama Samaja Party were among those who attended the meeting. Representing the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna, Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake and party stalwart Piyasiri Wijenayake also attended.

The Speaker can entertain an impeachment motion against the Chief Justice if it has been signed by one third of the total number of members in the House. It needs to be passed in Parliament only by a simple majority.

According to Section 107 of the Constitution, a Supreme Court or an Appeal Court Judge shall not be removed except by an order of the President made after an address to Parliament supported by a majority of the total number of MPS. (Kelum Bandara)