Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe writes to President on Constitutional Council

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the Constitutional Council is biased. Appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and employees to top government positions are thus affected. In a letter addressed to the President and the Speaker, Rajapakshe said that the unfair and unjust decisions of the Constitutional Council could be negative to the public administration. He gave several examples: President's Counsel Suhada Gamlath was Secretary to the Justice Ministry. He was not appointed as Attorney General despite fulfilling all the requisites. He added that Senior DIG S.M. Wickremesinghe was not appointed as Inspector General of Police. The reason was that he was the Chief Security officer of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The letter stated that Justice Deepali Wijesundara was not appointed as the Chairperson of the Court of Appeal. The verdict given in the “white flag” court case affected this appointment. The letter goes on to say that Justice Kusala Sarojini Weerawardana was not appointed to the Court of Appeal. The reason being that she released Lalith Weerathunga on bail. Further his letter states that A. A. Heiyanthuduwa, Manilal Widyathilake, and Aruna Ranasinghe were not promoted to the Appeal Court. They all had the necessary qualifications. The former Minister notes, that it is clear that the Constitutional Council is functioning in an unfair and unethical manner. He says that it has become an institution committing political persecution. He requested the President to publish a gazette asking for expert advice. He also suggested a set of guidelines for the Constitutional Council.