SC judge steps down from the case

Friday, 11 November 2011 08:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A member of the Supreme Court panel of judges hearing the case, Justice P.A. Ratnayake stepped down from the case yesterday.

The judge has said that it was not ethical for him to hear the petition filed against the legislation since he was a member of the panel of judges who studied the bill when it was presented to the apex court for determination its legality with the Constitution.

The Supreme Court Wednesday said that, subject to the correction of drafting errors, the Bill or any of its clauses have not been found inconsistent with the Constitution.

Judge Ratnayake has said that he would request the Chief Justice to appoint a bench that does not include him and has then postponed the case till 15 November.

The other Supreme Court judges hearing the case are R. K. A. Suresh Chandra and Sathya Hettige. (Colombo Page)