Supreme Court bar on IGP appointment done duly, Speaker stands firm

• Says he acted duly in accordance with the Constitution 

In response to Prime Minister’s request to rule on the  Supreme Court barring IGP (Inspector General of Police) from functioning  in his office for an interim period, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena  said he, as the chair of the Constitutional Council, had acted duly in  terms of the Constitution in making the appointment.  

Making his remarks on the matter, the Speaker said the  court had given its interim order on the premise that he made a wrong  decision. He said he acted lawfully in this regard.   

According to Article 41 (C) of the Constitution, he stated that he, as the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, have the power to  vote in the event of an equality of votes for the appointment of the  IGP. Equality resulted from two members of the Council abstaining  from voting.   

“Whatever anyone might say, nothing wrong has been done.  There is a procedure laid down in the Constitution to remove an official  appointed in this manner. If you are aggrieved, you can follow the  procedure or go to the Supreme Court. Otherwise, the President has  nothing to do in this case,” he said.   

Parliamentarian Gevindu Cumaratunga tried to dispute the Speaker, but he was shot down.