Controversial telephone calls issue: Politicians should not meddle in issues concerning judges: SLPP

By Lahiru Pothmulla  

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said that politicians shouldn’t meddle in the investigations into judges over the controversial phone recordings.  SLPP Chairman Professor G.L.Peiris said the Chief Justice (CJ) and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) are capable and are responsible in addressing the issue.   

“The phone recording incident is an organised and a planned work. Foreign forces with vested interests can utilize this episode against our country, to get their intentions fulfilled. Our judiciary has a good reputation and only a handful of people have behaved in an unethical manner. The CJ and the JSC can attend to the matter. Politicians or other parties should not get involved in this,” he said.   

Responding to a question, Professor Peiris said the Constitutional Council (CC) has a right to summon the Attorney General.  “If the CC believes that the AG ordering to arrest a judge is wrong, it has a right to summon him. We can’t say the move is wrong,” he said.   Commenting on the upcoming general election, Professor Peiris said the SLPP was confident of securing two-thirds majority in parliament.   “We seek a two-thirds majority not to enjoy unlimited privileges or power but to implement the pledges made to the public. For an example, the electoral system is in need of dire changes. We need to reform it to end corruption and frauds during elections,” he said.