Carefully evaluate the ramifications- Commonwealth to SL

12 January 2013 11:08 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 40 Bookmark

A A A

The head of the Commonwealth called on the Sri Lankan government to carefully evaluate the ramifications before taking any further decisions on the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

In a statement, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma said the impeachment of a Chief Justice is a very serious matter and in this particular case, it has called into question aspects of Sri Lanka's Constitution.
"The Commonwealth, collectively, is profoundly concerned about this situation," Sharma said.

The Secretary-General asked the Sri Lankan urged the Sri Lankan Government to pause for further careful consideration over the decision to impeach the top judge.

"I strongly urge that time be taken to reflect and consider fully the constitutional and other ramifications of the differing positions taken by the Judiciary and Legislature before any decision is taken by the Executive on the impeachment of the Chief Justice," Sharma cautioned in his statement.

The Secretary-General said he has been in touch with the Sri Lankan Government at the highest levels to offer Commonwealth assistance to find a way forward.

"I recognise that this is a matter for Sri Lanka, but am also conscious of our shared Commonwealth values and principles, to which Sri Lanka and all member governments have subscribed," the Secretary-General said.

Parliament yesterday passed the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake by a majority of 106 votes.

Comments - 40

shah Sunday, 13 January 2013 03:54 AM

now people must elect members to parliament well qualified and respectable persons,to uphold the Dignity of the Parliament.

0 4

r.perera Saturday, 12 January 2013 09:21 PM

John the .....,

Then ask the brothers to renounce membership with commonwealth. No one is forcing us to be a member. It is our choice. However, if we continue like a failed state they will kick us out. Message is clear.

1 6

Mutu Saturday, 12 January 2013 09:45 PM

Commonwealth has probably realized that the 2/3 majority is a bought one with bribes and therefore not "DEMOCRATIC".

0 1

Aloka Saturday, 12 January 2013 09:52 PM

Make no mistake Mr President. If you belong to the jungle culture, only vultures will recognise you- not the decent law abiding humans. Take your pick !!!!!

0 8

Gabo Singho Saturday, 12 January 2013 09:51 PM

# John. Were you living at the time of British rule? If you did you will realize ,at least there was the 'rule of law'. No bribery or corruption in the colonial administration. Well, it was colonial rule and they did have guns but from what I could remember ,they were rarely pointed at the public. There rule was much more democratic than what we have had since independence. We have no rule of law now. Thugs rule. Bribery & corruption is rampant in every sphere of our lives , so whats so good now?

1 3

Rohan1 Saturday, 12 January 2013 11:32 PM

Why do we need CHOGM in Sri Lanka? Why does Mahinda want tpo be the Head??

1 5

justice Sunday, 13 January 2013 01:05 AM

commonwealth, is that now you interfere. the democracy as well as the law of the country are already buried.

0 0

hks Sunday, 13 January 2013 01:18 AM

"Our legislature is more powerful, and superior than the Commonwealth, UNO and other reputed internationa bodies" This is what our rulers are trying to convince the poor voters of this country !

0 1

Lobo Sunday, 13 January 2013 01:29 AM

These guys are too dumb and drunk with power to heed any good advise.

1 8

nicky karunarathna Sunday, 13 January 2013 03:23 AM

Do this guy have the right to play with our soveriegnity? One can be member of a club, but club management have no rigthful duty to interfere with his/her personal life. And this 21st century this colonial club, been taken by those brutal British by convention( only two countries taken by conventions by British after getting defeated by their barbaric war games are, Sri Lanka and Newzealand) should get out from this so-called commenwealth at least now with dignity.

10 0

Chandler Saturday, 12 January 2013 09:18 PM

No doubt there was no democracy from the beginning of Colonial Ceylon. However, there is nothing wrong expressing oninion on any such matters and Sri Lanka too should have the reciprocal right to comment on any issues concerning Britain.
Point here is that nobody knows who is right here. Has the PSC been biased in fact finding and the report? Has the supreme court been indendent in this case? Can Sri Lanka expect a fair hearing from international courts? Looks like Sri Lanka legislature and judiciary in a real soup chasing tails.

1 0

chin Sunday, 13 January 2013 04:27 AM

Who are they to tell us ?
we are not ****

11 1

The Observer Sunday, 13 January 2013 04:45 AM

I was not born then and so cannot check this, but I have noticed people saying that there was much better rule of law then.

1 5

saranapala Sunday, 13 January 2013 05:22 AM

Is Mahinda doing any different thing to British colonials? who ever who's saying any thing against to his & his family's agenda,is labeled as a traitor or a foreign conspiracy agent...he will be fine as long as people like u backing him blind folded...

0 4

Dr.R Seneviratne Sunday, 13 January 2013 06:32 AM

Mr.Sharma,We earnestly request you to show your displesure by changing the venue of the commonwealth summit from Hambantota ,tSri lanka, to any other venue

1 11

Jehan Sunday, 13 January 2013 07:16 AM

Please don't write this kind of nonsense!
You are an embarassment to all right thinking Sri Lankans.

0 5

Silas Sunday, 13 January 2013 08:51 AM

Yes, Mahinda's a Sri Lankan, so he's allowed to rule us at gun point...very funny John...

0 2

Silas Sunday, 13 January 2013 08:55 AM

Hahaa..Nicky at it again!..one can be a member of a club, but if he/she does not comply to the rules of the club, the club management has every right to throw him/her out of the club!...did anything get through your thick skull nicky?

0 4

Silas Sunday, 13 January 2013 08:58 AM

Dream on!

0 1

The Observer Sunday, 13 January 2013 01:47 PM

Hello,
You are using my pen name! One of us have to change?

0 0

ling Saturday, 12 January 2013 02:32 PM

Remind me of the last phrase of LTTE's war. The next one on the News is UN, Amnesty, oops War crime, etc....Merry go round until a puppet of their choice is in place. Sorry we do not have another 30 years.

16 6

samara Saturday, 12 January 2013 11:45 AM

still there is time for MR to save the nation...may wisdom strkes his brain

0 4

John Saturday, 12 January 2013 12:35 PM

"British" Commonwealth should never interfere with Sri Lankan affairs now, we are no longer a British Colony & we know how Britons ruled Lanka at gun point. Did they ruled us democratically ?

59 13

Observer Saturday, 12 January 2013 12:35 PM

Hope at least this learned gentlemen will save democracy in Sri Lanka

5 21

Lucky Weeramantry Saturday, 12 January 2013 12:33 PM

Listen To The Commonwealth At Least On This Matter Mr President. Sri Lanka Is In A Grave Situation. God Save Lanka

10 42

dalu banda Saturday, 12 January 2013 01:21 PM

Machan Wimal, Ena Pota Honda Nee Wagee (Coming color looks not good enough)

3 19

Sagarika Saturday, 12 January 2013 01:26 PM

Well said! but the problem is will the soverign people here this???

3 12

wijebahu Saturday, 12 January 2013 02:07 PM

Sri Lanka does not deserve to hold CHOGM while rule by a gang of thugs who have no regards to natural justice and not even to the supreme constitution..

5 30

Kottoruwa Saturday, 12 January 2013 02:24 PM

If a new is appointed, all his judgments will be nullity since his appointment is a nullity and illegal. Litigants even after many years can challenge the new CJ's judgment on the basis of the Supreme Court finding that the Parliamentary select committee report is illegal.

3 14

limatc Saturday, 12 January 2013 02:31 PM

MR/CR/GR/BR all wanted to sack the CJ due to non compliance for DIVINEGUMA BILL where the ruling family could not do money laundering , now what thinking of this , MR wanted this to do why waiting for now sack and see the result later , no use waiting for another x-mas

4 17

unchikun Saturday, 12 January 2013 11:32 AM

Sir, your advise will similar to pouring water on a ducks back.

1 4

nipuna Saturday, 12 January 2013 02:41 PM

So what is the big mouth wimal say now?
we will loose all the benefits what we enjoy in common wealth countries.
Now wimal will going to give all to us...

ns

2 19

buruwa Saturday, 12 January 2013 03:04 PM

Sharma should have called G L Peiris. As a failed Foreign minister , GL is trying to safeguard his position by supporting Rajapasa family. I never think GL will convey this message to President. GL will say "I will take care of all international concerns , please sack CJ"
President seems mislead by these jokers

4 18

Asanka Saturday, 12 January 2013 12:00 AM

This is good news for people looking for justice, as predicted international community is again getting involved. Our leaders create the mess n they will now call this As CJ is backed foreign powers to destabilize the country.. Already it's being done but will further continue.. via DM iPad app

4 4

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 12 January 2013 03:21 PM

With 2/3 majority having for ruling party, what can heads of commonwealth do to this issue.

6 8

DeSelva Saturday, 12 January 2013 03:27 PM

you can take some action and cancel the commonwealth summit to be held in Sri Lanka, instead of just making statements

3 32

VKP Saturday, 12 January 2013 03:30 PM

Many thanks to commonwealth.

3 23

Dr. Know Saturday, 12 January 2013 03:48 PM

Mr Sharma, there is no point talking to a mad man who is a top class arrogant fool. He thinks he is equally powerful as the US and Western Europe. He thinks majority are still behind him. Such a megalomaniac. Its all matter of time, people of this country will defame him very soon.

5 29

Nimal Saturday, 12 January 2013 08:57 PM

Hi John,
You need to understand the reality. British common wealth is not a part of SL but Sri Lanka is part of the Commonwealth - by choice, hence SL must least consider the advise/warning given by the Commonwealth. It is up to the GoSL to make the choice.

2 12

puttalam buruwa Saturday, 12 January 2013 09:00 PM

Why the hell is Sri Lanka planning Common Wealth Head of State gathering in the country?

0 7

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.