UNP accuses former Chief Justice of duplicity

The United National Party (UNP) today accused former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva of duplicity after he extended support to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, just months after he had campaigned for his defeat.

Justice Minister and former UNP Parliamentarian Wijedasa Rajapaksa said that people like Sarath N. Silva are a disgrace to the judiciary.

He recalled that Sarath N. Silva had earlier backed President Maithripala Sirisena at the January 8 Presidential election and called for the defeat of Rajapaksa at the polls.

Sarath N. Silva had also publicly apologised for a ruling he had given when he was the Chief Justice in support of Rajapaksa in the ?Helping Hambantota? case.

Wijedasa Rajapaksa said that by backing Mahinda Rajapaksa at the August 17 Parliament election, Silva had placed doubts in the minds of the public over the judiciary.

The Minister also noted that the statement made by Sarath N Silva and some others in the Mahinda Rajapaksa camp, that President Maithripala Sirisena cannot appoint the next Prime Minister, is not accurate.

Wijedasa Rajapaksa said that under the constitution the President has the authority to appoint someone as Prime Minister who he feels has the majority support of Parliament. (Colombo Gazette)