Constitutional Council will decide on SC judgement on IGP: Susil

• Opposition says CC approval not needed to appoint acting IGP
• Urges government to uphold SC verdict and appoint acting IGP soon

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

Mixed opinions transpired in Parliament yesterday over the appointment of an acting IGP following the injunction order issued by the Supreme Court on IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon where Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said a decision would be taken regarding the matter by the Constitutional Council headed by the Speaker.  He told Parliament that the IGP was approved by the Constitutional Council and a decision would be taken by the same Council once the Speaker returned.   

The Minister said the government upholds the Supreme Court judgement and that the Cabinet which met on Wednesday did not discuss about the Supreme Court verdict.   

“It is not a matter pertaining to the Cabinet or the Parliament,” he said.  The Minister said this while responding to a question raised by the Opposition MPs in Parliament, who questioned the delay in appointing an acting IGP as per the Supreme Court judgement.   

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the Cabinet has no powers to question the judgement of the Supreme Court and that the government is bound to implement the Supreme Court verdict.   

Parliamentarian Prof. G.L. Pieris said the Executive has powers to appoint an acting IGP and that approval of the Constitutional Council is not required for this.   

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara said the President appointed the Acting Attorney General without the approval of the Constitutional Council and questioned why an Acting IGP could not be appointed in similar manner.   

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said if an Acting IGP is not appointed soon as per the Supreme Court verdict, it will be a contempt of court.