‘CJ must reaffirm public’s faith in the judiciary’

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana says the government is hopeful that the Chief Justice will take due steps to reaffirm the trust the people have placed in the country’s independent judicial system.

The Minister speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing said the government is not in a haste to appoint a Parliament Select Committee, even though it is due protocol, at a time when an issue arises over the independence of the judiciary and the country’s highest court.

The Minister was questioned by media over the controversial recordings of phone calls involving Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake.

Minister Gunawardana said the recordings are evident of acts of vengeance and attempts to influence investigations.

He noted that it is now the responsibility of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice to prevent any conflict between the Legislature and the Executive.

Minister Gunawardana said the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court must take unbiased steps to ensure the judiciary is free of any political interference and urged that the confidence of the people be restored.

Co-Cabinet Spokesman State Minister Keheliya Rambukwella joining the media briefing said around 121,000 recordings are under investigations.

The State Minister also requested the Chief Justice to reach a decision pertaining to the judges involved in the phone calls.