US urges transparency and due process in impeachment
December 7, 2012 01:03 pm
The United States on Friday stated that it remains “very concerned” about the state of the Sri Lankan judiciary and the ongoing impeachment process of the country’s Chief Justice, Dr Shirani Bandaranayake.
Issuing a statement regarding the matter, the US Embassy in Colombo called for transparency and due process in the investigation conducted by the panel dominated by ruling party MPs.
“We urge that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the Chief Justice ensure any investigation be conducted transparently, guarantee due process, and is conducted in accordance with the rule of law,” it said.
Bandaranayake on Thursday walked out of her impeachment hearing before lawmakers after complaining she was not being given a fair trial.
A parliamentary official said Thursday’s hearing, the third since it began on November 23, ended abruptly as Bandaranayake staged her dramatic walkout and vowed not to attend any more hearings of a panel dominated by ruling party MPs.
Bandaranayake, the country’s first female chief justice, is charged with 14 counts of improper personal conduct and financial misconduct.
Issuing a statement regarding the matter, the US Embassy in Colombo called for transparency and due process in the investigation conducted by the panel dominated by ruling party MPs.
“We urge that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the Chief Justice ensure any investigation be conducted transparently, guarantee due process, and is conducted in accordance with the rule of law,” it said.
Bandaranayake on Thursday walked out of her impeachment hearing before lawmakers after complaining she was not being given a fair trial.
A parliamentary official said Thursday’s hearing, the third since it began on November 23, ended abruptly as Bandaranayake staged her dramatic walkout and vowed not to attend any more hearings of a panel dominated by ruling party MPs.
Bandaranayake, the country’s first female chief justice, is charged with 14 counts of improper personal conduct and financial misconduct.
