"74-day impeachment saga"

http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/infographics/25081-q74-day-impeachment-sagaq.html

Removal of CJ Bandaranayake won’t be enough -Hudson
January 22, 2013, 9:48 pm
The Island

By Shamindra Ferdinando

A government, which went to the extent of impeaching Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake over allegations of misconduct and corruption couldn’t turn a blind eye to waste, corruption and irregularities in the public and private sector, SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe told The Island yesterday.

Samarasinghe said that the government should now go flat-out against those involved in corruption. The government should investigate those exposed by parliamentary watchdog committees - the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The failure on the part of the government to pursue investigations into cases of misconduct and corruption involving other high profile figures would prompt accusations that the ruling coalition was selective in its anti-corruption drive.

Responding to a query, the SLBC Chief said that the government could no longer afford to take a ’soft’ position on corruption without being accused of targeting Dr. Bandaranayake for some other reason.

The official pointed out that the impeachment motion, signed by 117 UPFA members, specifically referred to the controversial transaction involving former National Savings Bank (NSB) Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam, husband of the impeached Chief Justice, last April. "Let us see some real action against corrupt elements regardless of their status in society. Such action will only strengthen the government," Samarasinghe said.

Whatever the criticism against the removal of Dr. Bandaranayake by an influential section of the international community and the Opposition, it would be a blessing in disguise as the government, too, could come under pressure to take meaningful action.

Commenting on the arrest of several aides of various politicians, including Minister Mervyn Silva and deleted Dissanayake for a political killing and armed robbery, respectively, Samarasinghe regretted that criminal elements were being given the opportunity to bring the government into disrepute.

Deputy Minister Dissanayake is married to Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne’s daughter.

Responding to a query, Samarasinghe said that some of those travelling in posh vehicles with VIP stickers as well as state insignia could be engaged in various nefarious activities. Law enforcement authorities should search those vehicles, he said, adding that there should be a criterion for the display of VIP sticker and state insignia.

Samarasinghe said that his views would not be appreciated by some for obvious reasons. But the truth had to be said, though many would find fault with him for being blunt.

Samarasinghe said that defeated presidential candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka and ousted Chief Justice Bandaranayake had one thing in common. In spite of being defeated at the last presidential election in Jan 2010, the General continued to insist he was the real winner. Dr. Bandaranayake, too, though being impeached continued to claim she was the legally and duly appointed Chief Justice.