There is no mistrust in the PSC
despite appointing an independent committee
( December 13, 2012, Colombo, Sri
Lanka Guardian) President Mahinda Rajapakse stated that he is appointing an
independent committee not because he has mistrust in the Parliamentary Select
Committee.
The president made this statement
during a meeting with the heads of media at Temple Trees today.
President Rajapakse also stated
that he will consider the independent committee after he receives the report of
the PSC regarding the impeachment.
It is normal practice for the
president to appoint a committee to study a report once he receives it and in
accordance with that an independent committee will be appointed to inquire into
the PSC report.
President Rajapakse also denied
reports of receiving a phone call regarding the impeachment from the president
of the United States.
He further stated that as a democratic
country all actions have been taken according to the constitution.
Responding to questions raised by
journalists regarding the appointing of an acting chief justice, President
Rajapakse stated that all actions will be undertaken within the legal framework.
He further stated that when
appointing Dr. Shirani Bandaranayaka to the post of Chief Justice, only
seniority was considered and thereby the policy of not interfering with the
independence of the Judiciary was upheld.
The Chairman of the PSC Minister
Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was also present at the meeting with the heads of
media.
He stated that the Chief Justice
was given privileges beyond that of what is normally given by a PSC.
Although the constitution and the
standing orders state that only one attorney at law is allowed to accompany the
person being impeached, the Chief Justice was allowed to bring in a team of
Attorneys at Law.
The minister also stated that all
the documents pertaining to the charges brought against her were presented to
the Chief Justice's legal team and that she was asked to produce evidence as
well.
Minister Yapa further stated that
despite being given privileges beyond what is traditionally allowed she walked
out of the PSC proceedings.
Speaking further the minister
added that it gives the opinion that she was prepared to walk out of the
proceedings from the beginning.
He also stated that the Chief
Justice was never verbally abused or treated in a malicious manner and that
since the activities of the PSC was recorded from the beginning, evidence can
be produced at any time.
 Presi...){kind=link}