“Darkest hour of assault the independence of the judiciary,” – BASL Jaffna

Attorneys at Law practicing in the Jaffna Peninsula yesterday called on all signatories to the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandarnayake to withdraw the motion.

Passing a resolution at their meeting held on 28 November, the Bar Association of Jaffna regarding the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice said that the impeachment proceedings would “inevitably lead to an irreparable loss of confidence and public respect in the judicial system” and have a detrimental impact on the governance system in the country.

The resolution is signed by S. Abimanasingham PC, Zonal Vice President (North), BASL.

The Jaffna Bar also noted as lawyers from the north and east the importance of ensuring stability in the administration of justice as quintessential to the restoration of normalcy in the war-torn region. “The motion against Her Ladyship the Chief Justice is a threat to the smooth functioning and administration of justice to the whole of the country,” the resolution said.

The resolution also noted with concern “the lack of comity on the part of the Parliamentary Select Committee in rejecting the request of the Supreme Court to stay proceeding” until it concludes deliberations on the challenges and constitution.

The Jaffna Bar also expressed their solidarity with the Chief Justice in what they called “this darkest hour of assault the independence of the judiciary.” The Association added that it would seek to inform the Chairman of the PSC that the Jaffna Bar if invited was prepared to make submissions on all the issues raised in their resolution.