The parliament adjourned its session for 20 minutes following uproar over a statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe pertaining to the impeachment of former Chief justice Shirani Bandaranaike.

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva and MP Dinesh Gunawardena had yesterday (29) sought a party leaders’ meeting and a clarification regarding the reinstating of Bandaranaike as the Chief Justice despite Mohan Peiris holding the post.

The Prime Minister had stated that he would make a statement on the matter in Parliament.

Delivering a special statement today, Wickramasinghe said that the method used by the previous government to remove Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike was incorrect.

He also said that Mohan Peiris was present at Temple Trees on the night of the Presidential Election and termed it as unacceptable for an individual holding a position as important as the Chief Justice.

Wickramasinghe said that Peiris, who hold top posts in several institutions, cannot be expected to act independently and further claimed that he had offered to deliver verdicts favorable to the new government.

Mohan Peiris had requested a diplomatic post in order to resign as the Chief Justice, he also charged.

The PM’s statement angered several UPFA MPs who created an uproar resulting in the adjourning of Parliament for 20 minutes by the Speaker.

Parliament was adjourned for an urgent party leaders’ meeting, Ada Derana reporter said.