“Dreadful symptoms of the coming dissolution….”Thomas Mann (Buddenbrooks) In a classified cable written on 24th February 2010 (and revealed subsequently by Wikileaks), the US Ambassador identified Supreme Court Justice Shirani Bandaranayake as a supposed ‘Rajapaksa-loyalist’. The vicious and illegal impeachment of the same Shirani Bandaranayake, just two and half years later, demonstrates that the Rajapaksas [...]

“Hitler seemed intent, in fact, on delivering these blows completely in the open so as to leave a deep and abiding impression, as if proclaiming from the rooftops his immutable will….” – Joachim Fest (Plotting Hitler’s Death) The end was preordained. The quintessentially Rajapaksa-impeachment produced a quintessentially Rajapaksa Chief In-justice. Mohan Peiris, the trusted acolyte [...]

“An innocent Ploughman is more worthy than a vicious Prince.” - Benjamin Franklin We never learn from history that is why we are condemned to relive it History’s greatest lesson is that we never ever learn from it. That is why, as George Santayana’s famous quote says, we are condemned to relive it. Great Emperors of [...]

Job Title: Chief Justice of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Qualification : Attorney-at-Law or equivalent , Experience: Optional (Flexibility considered) Age : Less than 65- can be extended under Presidential directive. Job Description: 1.Sanction all proposed legislation. 2.Dismiss all applications filed against Government and the state friendly media. 3. Must uphold the supremacy of [...]

I am the 43rd Chief Justice of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. As the Chief Justice, I have an obligation and an unwavering duty towards the judges, lawyers and the citizens at large of my country. I stand here before you today having been unjustly persecuted, vilified and condemned. The treatment meted out [...]

Status Report of the Lawyers Collective ISSUED ON 15th January 2013: 9.00 p.m. On 14th January, around 7.00 pm the Secretary to the President and DIG Anura Senanyaka  required the Registrar of the Supreme Court to pack all belongings of the Chief Justice (Dr. Bandarayaka)  and send the same to her official residence. The Registrar had also [...]

Status Report of Lawyers Collective 14th January 2013 (9.00 p.m) The letter of removal of the Chief Justice was received by her on 13th January 2013. The President has summoned judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court 13th, 14th and 15th January respectively. There is no Constitutional tradition in Sri Lanka [...]

“We salute the Chief Justice for her courage & She remains the Chief Justice” H.E President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s purported letter of removal has been received by the Chief Justice. The Lawyers Collective states that this removal affects the very foundation of independence of the Judiciary, the Rule of Law and all basic norms of a [...]

“Why couldn’t you at least get my child’s body down?” - Rizana’s mother queries the government (BBC – 11.1.2013) Rizana Nafik was beheaded at 11.40 am on 9th January 2013. Two hours later, at 1.40 pm, Minister Dilan Perera informed the Lankan parliament that “the government has done everything to save Rizana and she will be [...]

For whom the Bell tolls! 01. The Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka purportedly consists of representatives elected by the Sovereign people of Sri Lanka. This Parliament is currently debating (on 10th and 11th January 2013), what is undoubtedly the most “momentous” issue ever placed on the order paper of Parliament. “Momentous” for the reason that their [...]