Victimized Judges May Be Reinstated

By Indika Sri Aravinda

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to appoint a three member committee which will look at the possibility of reinstating a group of Judges and Magistrates who were victimized by former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva.
UPFA MP Janaka Priyantha Bandara told The Sunday Leader that the committee, once appointed will look into the grievances of 42 former Judges and Magistrates who were unfairly removed from service by the former Chief Justice.
Bandara said that several victimized judges had migrated overseas after being emotionally affected by their removal from service.
President Rajapaksa will appoint the committee to reinstate the Judges and Magistrates who are willing to resume service.
Meanwhile the UPFA MP also said that Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has agreed to appoint the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate several allegations made against the ex Chief Justice during his tenure.
Several government Parliamentarians had recently submitted a motion to the Speaker seeking the appointment of a PSC and according to MP Bandara the Speaker has now agreed to the request and will appoint the PSC soon.
A group of former Judges and Magistrates who had formed the Foundation for Victimised Judges, had said last month that there are several allegations against Sarath N. Silva which need to be investigated.
Former Judge G. D. Kulatilake had said that Silva removed several Judges and Magistrates for failing to tow his line and make rulings according to his wishes.
Kulatilake alleged that former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva had in some cases “legalised adultery” despite claiming to be a devout Buddhist.