Impeachment of Shirani Bandaranayake: Difference between revisions

[[Shirani Bandaranayake]], the 43rd [[Chief Justice of Sri Lanka|Chief Justice]] of [[Sri Lanka]], was [[Impeachment|impeached]] by [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]] and then removed from office by [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] in January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=CJ receives order of removal|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/24956-cj-receives-order-of-removal.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=President removes CJ|url=http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/14645-president-removes-cj.html|newspaper=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201175926/http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/14645-president-removes-cj.html|archive-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> Bandaranayake was accused of a number of charges including financial impropriety and interfering in legal cases,<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka chief justice faces impeachment hearing|url=http://dawn.com/2012/11/23/sri-lanka-chief-justice-faces-impeachment-hearing/|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]/[[Associated Press]]|date=23 November 2012}}</ref> all of which she has denied.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rajapaksa sacks Lanka's first woman CJ|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/SriLanka/Rajapaksa-sacks-Lanka-s-first-woman-CJ/Article1-989141.aspx|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]/[[Press Trust of India]]|date=13 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122233610/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/srilanka/Rajapaksa-sacks-Lanka-s-first-woman-CJ/Article1-989141.aspx|archive-date=22 January 2013}}</ref> The impeachment followed a series of rulings against the government by the [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka|Supreme Court]], including one against a [[Bill (law)|bill]] proposed by Minister [[Basil Rajapaksa]], President Rajapaksa's brother.<ref>{{cite news|last=Magnier|first=Mark|title=Sri Lankan president dismisses nation's first female chief justice|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-sri-lanka-impeach-female-chief-justice-20130113,0,5116022.story|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref> Bandaranayake was replaced as chief justice by former [[Attorney General of Sri Lanka|Attorney General]] [[Mohan Peiris]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka president picks ally as chief justice, lawyers protest|url=httphttps://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/15/us-srilanka-impeachment-idUSBRE90E0FO20130115|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=15 January 2013|author=Shihar Aneez|author2=Ranga Sirilal}}</ref> Peiris is considered to be an ally of President Rajapaksa and his appointment is seen by critics as further consolidation of power by the president and [[Rajapaksa family|his family]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Crabtree|first=James|title=Sri Lanka appoints new chief justice|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ef4724ea-5f26-11e2-9f18-00144feab49a.html#axzz2IXKUZg93|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Francis|first=Krishan|title=Sri Lankan leader replaces chief justice with ally|url=httphttps://www.guardiantheguardian.co.ukcom/world/feedarticle/10612447|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]/[[Associated Press]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref> Bandaranayake has refused to recognise the impeachment and lawyers groups have refused to work with the new chief justice.<ref>{{cite news|last=Buncombe|first=Andrew|title=Sri Lanka faces constitutional crisis as president sacks chief justice|url=httphttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sri-lanka-faces-constitutional-crisis-as-president-sacks-chief-justice-8449549.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa removes chief justice after impeachment|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2013srilanka-impeachment-idINDEE90C05R20130113|archive-url=https:/01/13web.archive.org/web/20160306214523/http://in.reuters.com/article/srilanka-impeachment-idINDEE90C05R20130113|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2016|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=13 January 2013|author=Shihar Aneez|author2=Ranga Sirilal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake is impeached|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20982990|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref> Bandaranayake's controversial impeachment has drawndrew much criticism and concern from within and outside of Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lankan president ratifies chief justice’sjustice's dismissal in impeachment standoff with judiciary|url=httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sri-lankan-president-ratifies-chief-justices-dismissal-in-impeachment-standoff-with-judiciary/2013/01/13/07f6b822-5d9a-11e2-8acb-ab5cb77e95c8_story.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]/[[Associated Press]]|date=13 January 2013}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> On 28 January 2015 she was reinstated and retired on 29 January, the next day.

Bandaranayake was appointed to the [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka|Supreme Court]] on 30 October 1996 by [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] [[Chandrika Kumaratunga]].<ref name=DFT190511>{{cite news|title=Her Lordship! First Woman Chief Justice sworn in|url=http://www.ft.lk/2011/05/19/her-lordship-first-woman-chief-justice-sworn-in/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=19 May 2011|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212020622/http://www.ft.lk/2011/05/19/her-lordship-first-woman-chief-justice-sworn-in/|archive-date=12 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=DN190511>{{cite news|title=Dr Shirani Bandaranayake new Chief Justice|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/05/19/news02.asp|newspaper=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)]]|date=19 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128205348/http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/05/19/news02.asp|archive-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> In 2011 President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Bandaranayake as [[Chief Justice of Sri Lanka|Chief Justice]], succeeding [[Asoka de Silva (justice)|Asoka de Silva]] who retired on 17 May 2011. She took her oaths before President Rajapaksa on 18 May 2011.<ref name=DFT190511/><ref name=DN190511/>

The Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill was published in ''[[The Sri Lanka Gazette]]'' on 17 October 2011.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.documents.gov.lk/Bills/2011/Country%20Planning%20Ordinance/E.pdf|date=27 July 2012|title=TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (AMENDMENT) A BILL to amend the Town and Country Planning Ordinance (Chapter 269)|journal=[[The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka]]|volume=1769}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The bill allowed the government to declare any land in a municipal, urban development or road development area as a "protected", "conservation", "architectural", "historical" or "sacred" area and to acquire that land.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bandara|first=Kelum|title=Town and Country Planning Ordinance to be ammended{{sic|nolink=y|amme|nded|expected=amended}}|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/14636-town-and-country-planning-ordinance-to-be-ammended.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 November 2013}}</ref> According to the [[Constitution of Sri Lanka]] most land issues are devolved to the [[Provincial council (Sri Lanka)|provincial councils]]. The [[Sri Lankan government]] introduced the bill in [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|parliament]] on 8 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Business of the House|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewNews.do?recID=NWS2379|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|date=8 November 2011}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The bill's constitutionality was challenged by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu in the Supreme Court. The court (Bandaranayake, Chandra Ekanayake and [[K. Sripavan]]) met on 21 November 2011 to hear the petition. The court's determination (S.C. Special Determination No. 03/2011) was conveyed to [[Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka|Speaker]] [[Chamal Rajapaksa]], another brother of President Rajapaksa, on 2 December 2011 and on 3 December 2011 the Speaker announced the determination to Parliament: the bill was in respect of matters set out in the provincial council list and therefore cannot become law unless it has been referred to every provincial council.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report|journal=Hansard|date=3 December 2011|volume=205|issue=3|pages=424–430|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?published=Y&documentID=PUB3686|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219011516/http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?published=Y&documentID=PUB3686|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2013|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kirinde|first=Chandani|title=Land takeover: SC refuses to give ruling|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/111204/News/nws_03.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=4 December 2011}}</ref> The government withdrew the bill from parliament and referred it to the nine provincial councils.<ref>{{cite news|last=Indrajith|first=Saman|title=Govt. withdraws Bill|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=40695|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=7 December 2011}}</ref> The provincial councils expressed concern about the bill and suggested amendments.<ref>{{cite news|last=Perera|first=Yohan|title=PCs to amend Town and Country Planning Bill|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/16776-amendment-to-amendment-.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Town and Country Planning Act stuck at PCs for scrutiny|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120212/News/nws_15.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=12 February 2012}}</ref> The bill was opposed by the [[Sri Lanka Muslim Congress]] and [[Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal]], both members of the [[United People's Freedom Alliance]] (UPFA), President Rajapaksa's party, as well as the opposition [[United National Party]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Abeywickrema|first=Mandana Ismail|title=Govt. Stance Unclear On Amendments Called By PCs|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/02/19/govt-stance-unclear-on-amendments-called-by-pcs/|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=19 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Perera|first=Yohan|title=UNP to oppose Town and Country Planning Ordinance|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/16557-unp-to-oppose-town-and-country-planning-ordinance.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=6 February 2012}}</ref> Faced with opposition, the government abandoned the bill in April 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gunasekara|first=Tisaranee|title=The Impeachment As A Primer On The Rajapaksa Way|url=http://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-impeachment-as-a-primer-on-the-rajapaksa-way/|newspaper=Colombo Telegraph|date=24 January 2013}}</ref>

The Divi Neguma Bill was published in ''The Sri Lanka Gazette'' on 27 July 2012.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.documents.gov.lk/Bills/2012/Divineguma%20GS/diinegumaE.pdf|date=27 July 2012|title=Part II Divineguma A Bill|journal=[[The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka]]|volume=1769|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120070418/http://documents.gov.lk/Bills/2012/Divineguma%20GS/diinegumaE.pdf|archive-date=20 January 2013}}</ref> The bill established the Department of Divi Neguma Development by amalgamating the Samurdhi Authority of Sri Lanka, Southern Development Authority of Sri Lanka and the Udarata Development Authority, and created numerous community organisations, banks and banking societies.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hemmathagama|first=Ashwin|title=More petitions against Divi Neguma Bill|url=http://www.ft.lk/2012/10/24/more-petitions-against-divi-neguma-bill/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=24 October 2012|access-date=14 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127212140/http://www.ft.lk/2012/10/24/more-petitions-against-divi-neguma-bill/|archive-date=27 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Department of Divi Neguma Development would be controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development headed by President Rajapaksa's brother Basil Rajapaksa and would carry out development activities.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weerakoon|first=Gagani|title=Divi Neguma presented in House|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-14368-news-detail-divi-neguma-presented-in-house.html|newspaper=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=10 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219004112/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-14368-news-detail-divi-neguma-presented-in-house.html|archive-date=19 February 2013}}</ref> According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka most development activities are devolved to the provincial councils. The Sri Lankan government introduced the bill in parliament on 10 August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Business of the House|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewNews.do?recID=NWS2675|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|date=10 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310224407/http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewNews.do?recID=NWS2675|archive-date=10 March 2013}}</ref> The bill's constitutionality was consequently challenged by four petitioners on three petitions in the Supreme Court. The court (Bandaranayake, Priyasath Dep and Eva Wanasundera) met on 27 and 28 August 2012 to hear the petitions. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa announced the Supreme Court's determinations (S.C. Special Determination No. 01/2012, 02/2012 and 03/2012) to Parliament on 18 September 2012: the bill was in respect of matters set out in the provincial council list and therefore cannot become law unless it has been referred to every provincial council.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report|journal=Hansard|date=18 September 2012|volume=210|issue=10|pages=1045–1069|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?documentID=PUB4100|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102063740/http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?documentID=PUB4100|archive-date=2 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Divi Negum bill needs approval of Provincial Councils|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=19701|newspaper=adaderana.lk|date=18 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bastians|first=Dharisha|title=TNA moves to restrain Northern Governor on Divi Neguma Bill|url=http://www.ft.lk/2012/10/04/tna-moves-to-restrain-northern-governor-on-divi-neguma-bill/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=4 October 2012|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605041939/http://www.ft.lk/2012/10/04/tna-moves-to-restrain-northern-governor-on-divi-neguma-bill/|archive-date=5 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The UPFA controlled eight of the nine provincial councils and between 25 September 2012 and 3 October 2012 all eight approved the Divi Neguma Bill. The ninth provincial council, [[Northern Provincial Council|Northern]], had not been functioning as an elected body since it was established in 2007. The bill was approved by the [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern Province]]'s [[List of Governors of Northern Province|Governor]] [[G. A. Chandrasiri]] who had been appointed by President Rajapaksa.<ref>{{cite news|title=Northern Governor gives nod for Divi Neguma|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=62505|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=27 September 2012}}</ref>

The bill then returned to Parliament and a further eleven petitions were placed before the Supreme Court challenging the bill's constitutionality. Amongst these petitions was one filed on 4 October 2012 by opposition MP [[Mavai Senathirajah]] challenging the legality of Chandrasiri's approving the bill.<ref>{{cite news|title=SL Supreme Court to decide on governor’sgovernor's approval to Divineguma bill|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=35656|newspaper=[[TamilNet]]|date=13 October 2012}}</ref> The court (Bandaranayake, N. G. Amaratunga and K. Sripavan) met on 18, 22, and 23 October 2012 to hear the petitions. The Supreme Court's determinations were passed to the president on 31 October 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=SC ruling on Divi Neguma bill delivered to Speaker|url=http://www.ft.lk/2012/11/01/sc-ruling-on-divi-neguma-bill-delivered-to-speaker/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=1 November 2012|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905201740/http://www.ft.lk/2012/11/01/sc-ruling-on-divi-neguma-bill-delivered-to-speaker/|archive-date=5 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=SC decision on Divi Neguma Bill conveyed to President|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/23154-sc-decision-on-divi-neguma-bill-conveyed-to-president.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=2 November 2012|author=Ajantha Kumara Agalakada|author2=Ranjan Katugampola}}</ref> Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa announced the Supreme Court's determinations to Parliament on 6 November 2012: clause 8(2) was unconstitutional and needed to be approved by a referendum; twelve other clauses were inconsistent with the constitution and needed to be passed by special majority (two-thirds) of Parliament; the governor of the Northern Province does not have the power to endorse the bill and therefore Parliament needed to pass the bill by special majority.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report|journal=Hansard|date=6 November 2012|volume=211|issue=8|pages=1045–1069|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?published=Y&documentID=PUB4286|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310224341/http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?published=Y&documentID=PUB4286|archive-date=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Divi Neguma needs two-thirds majority and referendum to be passed in present form: SC|url=http://www.ft.lk/2012/11/07/divi-neguma-needs-two-thirds-majority-and-referendum-to-be-passed-in-present-form-sc/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=7 November 2012|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606094737/http://www.ft.lk/2012/11/07/divi-neguma-needs-two-thirds-majority-and-referendum-to-be-passed-in-present-form-sc/|archive-date=6 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ladduwahetty|first=Neville|title=Divi Neguma Bill and Supreme Court|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=65832|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 November 2012}}</ref>

The government amended the bill to avoid holding a referendum.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ganewatte|first=Shyam Nuwan|title=Ten amendments to Divineguma bill tomorrow|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=69844|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=6 January 2013}}</ref> The amended Divi Neguma Bill was passed by Parliament on 8 January 2013 with the required two-thirds majority.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report|journal=Hansard|date=8 January 2013|volume=214|issue=1|pages=64–211|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?documentID=PUB4349|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310224427/http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?documentID=PUB4349|archive-date=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Divi Neguma Bill passed with 107 majority|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=69972|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 January 2013}}</ref>

An impeachment motion against Chief Justice Bandaranayake signed by 117 UPFA MPs{{ref|Motion1|A}} was handed to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa on 1 November 2012, the day after the Supreme Court's determinations on the Divi Neguma Bill were passed to the president.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shirani Bandaranayake: Sri Lanka MPs' impeachment bid|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20164304|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=2 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Impeachment motion against CJ handed over to Speaker|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/23123-impeachment-motion-against-cj-handed-over-to-speaker.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=1 November 2012}}</ref> Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa revealed the 14 charges{{ref|Charges|B}} against Bandaranayake on 6 November 2012 which included failing to disclose financial interests, abuse of power and disregarding the constitution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haviland|first=Charles|title=Shirani Bandaranayake: Charges set out as impeachment begins|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20222196|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=6 November 2012}}</ref> Bandaranayake denied the charges.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haviland|first=Charles|title=Shirani Bandaranayake denies Sri Lanka impropriety charges|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20266487|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=9 November 2012}}</ref>

An eleven -member parliamentary select committee (PSC){{ref|PSC|C}} consisting of seven government MPs and four opposition MPs was appointed to hear the impeachment charges.<ref>{{cite news|title=CJ decides to stay on and fight|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/121111/columns/cj-decides-to-stay-on-and-fight-20090.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 November 2012}}</ref> Impeachment hearings were held on 23 November 2012, 4 December 2012 and 6 December 2012 when Bandaranayake walked out of the hearing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Further hearings on CJ's impeachment motion on Dec 4|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27242:cj-heading-to-attend-psc-sittings-lawyers-protest&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=23 November 2012|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-date=29 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129124023/http://sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27242:cj-heading-to-attend-psc-sittings-lawyers-protest&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=PSC rejects observers|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24007-psc-rejects-observers.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=5 December 2012|author=Kelum Bandara|author2=Yohan Perera}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=CJ walks out of PSC, unlikely to return|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27673:cj-walks-out-of-select-comittee-proceedings&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=6 December 2012|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-date=12 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212174952/http://sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27673:cj-walks-out-of-select-comittee-proceedings&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|url-status=dead}}</ref> The opposition MPs withdrew from the PSC on 7 December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Opposition members withdraw from PSC|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24089-opposition-members-withdraw-from-psc.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=7 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Opposition withdraws from PSC|url=http://www.nation.lk/edition/latest-top-stories/item/13235-opposition-withdraws-from-psc.html|newspaper=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=7 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624110627/http://www.nation.lk/edition/latest-top-stories/item/13235-opposition-withdraws-from-psc.html|archive-date=24 June 2013}}</ref> The PSC's report was presented to Parliament on 8 December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=PSC report presented|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24111-psc-report-presented.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 December 2012}}</ref> The PSC found that three of five charges against Bandaranayake had been proven and this was enough to remove her from office.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka chief judge Bandaranayake found guilty by MPs|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20650997|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=8 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Three out of five charges against CJ proven|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/24115-three-out-of-five-charges-against-cj-proven.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 December 2012}}</ref> She was found guilty of impropriety in a property transaction (1st charge), having undeclared bank accounts (4th charge) and conflict of interest in a legal case involving her husband (5th charge).<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lankan chief justice found guilty on 3 counts|url=http://www.njherald.com/story/20293584/sri-lankan-lawmakers-conclude-judges-hearing|newspaper=[[Associated Press]]/[[New Jersey Herald]]|date=8 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Weerakoon|first=Gagani|title=CJ found guilty of three charges -PSC|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16-19048-news-detail-cj-found-guilty-of-three-charges-psc.html|newspaper=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=8 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211105959/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16-19048-news-detail-cj-found-guilty-of-three-charges-psc.html|archive-date=11 December 2012}}</ref> She was found not guilty on the 2nd and 3rd charges and the remaining nine charges were disregarded by the PSC.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka Chief Justice found guilty on 3 charges|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12B/Dec08_1354979043CH.php|newspaper=Colombo Page|date=8 December 2012}}</ref> Opposition MPs have rejected the PSC report, saying "This was not an inquiry it was an inquisition".<ref>{{cite news|last=Farisz|first=Hafeel|title=Opp. members of the PSC reject report|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24116-opp-members-of-the-psc-reject-report-.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 December 2012}}</ref> The PSC's report was them sent to President Rajapaksa.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lankan parliament recommends dismissal of chief justice|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-cjs-impeachment-trial-report-presented-to-parliament/article4178081.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 December 2012}}</ref>

The Supreme Court (N. G. Amaratunga, Priyasath Dep and K. Sripavan) ruled on 1 January 2013 that the PSC had no power to investigate allegations against the chief justice and the impeachment was therefore unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite news|title=Court rejects Sri Lanka judge Shirani Bandaranayake inquiry|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20904895|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=3 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Farisz|first=Hafeel|title=PSC void, SC determines|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/24718-psc-has-no-authority-to-find-a-judge-guilty.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=3 January 2013|access-date=27 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604090309/http://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/24718-psc-has-no-authority-to-find-a-judge-guilty.html|archive-date=4 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Bandaranayake appealed against the PSC and on 7 January 2013 the Court of Appeal quashed the PSC's findings.<ref>{{cite news|title=Court of Appeal quashes PSC report|url=http://onlineuthayan.com/english-news/uthayannews/x214x2y2h1h1r2p2|newspaper=[[Uthayan]]|date=8 January 2013|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160108/http://onlineuthayan.com/english-news/uthayannews/x214x2y2h1h1r2p2|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Weeraratne|first=Chitra|title=Appeal Court quashes PSC findings on CJ|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=69911|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=7 January 2013}}</ref> Two Court of Appeal judges, S. Sriskandarajah and Anil Goonarathne, subsequently received death threats.<ref>{{cite news|title=Appeal Court judges get threatening calls|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/24844-appeal-court-judges-get-threatening-calls.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 January 2013|author=Hafeel Farisz|author2=Dasun Rajapakshe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Samarasinghe|first=Stanley|title=Judges threatened|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/27-21514-news-detail-judges-threatened.html|newspaper=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=9 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112013211/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/27-21514-news-detail-judges-threatened.html|archive-date=12 January 2013}}</ref>

The government ignored the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal rulings and went ahead with the impeachment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Large crowds gather in Colombo to oppose impeachment of chief justice|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/847731004e224b7a9a69bff251b4e4e2/Large-crowds-gather-in-Colombo-to-oppose-impeachment-of-chief-justice-20131001|newspaper=[[South African Broadcasting Corporation]]/[[Reuters]]|date=10 January 2013|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128220028/http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/847731004e224b7a9a69bff251b4e4e2/Large-crowds-gather-in-Colombo-to-oppose-impeachment-of-chief-justice-20131001|archive-date=28 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The impeachment motion against Bandaranayake was debated by Parliament on 10 and 11 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Radhakrishnan|first=R. K.|title=Two-day debate on impeachment begins|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/twoday-debate-on-impeachment-begins/article4295217.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 January 2013}}</ref> The motion was passed by Parliament with 155 MPs voting for and 49 MPs voting against it.{{ref|Motion2|D}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka’sLanka's Parliament votes to impeach chief judge, deepening standoff with judiciary|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sri-lankas-parliament-debating-impeachment-of-chief-judge-deepening-standoff-with-judiciary/2013/01/11/88a4e8ce-5be5-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112122031/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sri-lankas-parliament-debating-impeachment-of-chief-judge-deepening-standoff-with-judiciary/2013/01/11/88a4e8ce-5be5-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]/[[Associated Press]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref> Opposition MPs described the impeachment motion as flawed and therefore invalid.<ref>{{cite news|last=Farisz|first=Hafeel|title=Opposition contest resolution|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24936-opposition-contest-resolution.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref>

Bandaranayake was removed from office on 13 January 2013 after President Mahinda Rajapaksa ratified the impeachment motion passed by Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka president sacks chief justice Bandaranayake|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21002642|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka's first woman Chief Justice sacked|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lankas-first-woman-chief-justice-sacked/article4304287.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]/[[Press Trust of India]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref> According to some reports Rajapaksa had offered to allow Bandaranayake to retire but she had refused.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jayasinghe|first=Ranjith Ananda|title=President wants CJ to retire|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130113/news/president-wants-cj-to-retire-28697.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka fires first female chief justice|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/01/201311381018800793.html|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref>

After the impeachment motion passed Parliament, Bandaranayake indicated that she would not leave office, citing the Supreme Court ruling declaring the PSC unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite news|title=Govt. considers new CJ but Shirani won’twon't go|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130113/columns/govt-considers-new-cj-but-shirani-wont-go-28548.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref> Lawyers groups urged the Supreme Court judges not to sit with any new Chief Justice.<ref>{{cite news|title=Resistance against any new CJ grows|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130113/news/resistance-against-any-new-cj-grows-28694.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref>

President Rajapaksa nominated former [[Attorney General of Sri Lanka|Attorney General]] [[Mohan Peiris]] to succeed Bandaranayake.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mohan Peiris nominated as next Chief Justice|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28958:mohan-peiris-nominated-as-next-chief-justice&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=14 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka seals impeachment with new judge|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/news/330799/sri-lanka-seals-impeachment-with-new-judge|newspaper=[[Bangkok Post]]/[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref> According to the constitution of Sri Lanka, the president must refer his nomination to the Parliamentary Council for "observations" but it is the president who makes the appointment.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastians|first=Dharisha|title=President to appoint new CJ today|url=http://www.ft.lk/2013/01/15/president-to-appoint-new-cj-today/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref> The five member Parliamentary Council consists of the [[Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka|Speaker]], [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka|Prime Minister]], [[Leader of the Opposition (Sri Lanka)|Leader of the Opposition]], a nominee of the Prime Minister and a nominee of the Leader of the Opposition. The Parliamentary Council met on 15 January 2013 to discuss the appointment but Leader of the Opposition [[Ranil Wickremasinghe]] and his nominee [[D. M. Swaminathan]] did not attend as they were opposed to the Council.<ref>{{cite news|title=Parliamentary Council to meet tomorrow over appointment of new CJ|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28956:parliamentary-council-to-meet-today-over-appointment-of-new-cj&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=14 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ranil won't go|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24978-unp-on-council-.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=14 January 2013}}</ref> The Parliamentary Council gave its approval for Peiris's appointment on 15 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Parliamentary Council approves Peiris as new CJ|url=http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/14652-parliamentary-council-approves-peiris-as-new-cj.html|newspaper=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 January 2013|access-date=27 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201183121/http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/14652-parliamentary-council-approves-peiris-as-new-cj.html|archive-date=1 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mohan Peries’sPeries's name approved|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25000-mohan-periess-name-approved.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref> Peiris was sworn in as chief justice at 12.30pm on 15 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Sri Lanka chief justice Mohan Peiris sworn in amid opposition|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21022854|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bulathsinghala|first=Frances|title=New CJ of Sri Lanka sworn in|url=http://dawn.com/2013/01/16/new-cj-of-sri-lanka-sworn-in/|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=16 January 2013}}</ref> Peiris was a legal adviser to President Rajapaksa and his government and was prominent in defending Rajapaksa's government from allegations of human rights violations and enforced disappearances.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fernandez|first=Minelle|title=Sri Lanka: A tale of two chief justices|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/01/2013117122157590337.html|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|date=18 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=hindu150113>{{cite news|last=Radhakrishnan|first=R.K|title=Ex-Attorney General made Chief Justice|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/exattorney-general-made-chief-justice/article4309351.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref> He had never served as a judge and is seen as an ally of the president.<ref name=hindu150113/><ref name=HP150113>{{cite news|last=Francis|first=Krishan|title=Sri Lankan leader replaces chief justice with ally|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130115/as-sri-lanka-chief-justice/?utm_hp_ref=homepage&ir=homepage|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref>

Bandaranayake vacated her official residence at 5.30pm on 15 January 2013 and issued a statement in which she insisted she was still the legitimate chief justice and that the charges against her were all "blatant lies".<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-CJ vows to be with the people|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=70473|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Video: ‘I'I am still the Chief Justice’Justice'|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25021-i-am-still-the-chief-justice.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 January 2013|author=Susitha R. Fernando|author2=Hafeel Farisz}}</ref> As she left Bandaranayake told reporters she feared for her family's safety.<ref>{{cite news|title="My life is in danger": Sri Lanka's impeached chief justice|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2013-01-15/my-life-is-in-danger-sri-lankas-impeached-chief-justice/1074074|newspaper=[[Radio Australia]]|date=16 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lankan law chief says family in danger after sacking|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/sri-lankan-law-chief-says-family-in-danger-after-sacking-20130116-2ctru.html|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]/[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=17 January 2013}}</ref>

Peiris was officially inaugurated as chief justice at a ceremony in the Supreme Court on 23 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka lawyers boycott chief justice ceremony|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21155932|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=23 January 2013}}</ref> The media, other than the state-owned media, were banned from the ceremony which was boycotted by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the largest lawyers association in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Media blackout for ceremonial sitting|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25206-media-blackout-for-ceremonial-sitting.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=23 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka's legal fraternity takes a stand for judicial independence|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/asia-pacific/sri-lankas-legal-fraternity-takes-a-stand-for-judicial-independence/1078398|newspaper=[[Radio Australia]]|date=24 January 2013}}</ref> The ceremony was however attended by other judges including the associate judges of the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rich and poor equal before the law – CJ Peiris|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=71039|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=23 January 2013}}</ref>

A fundamental rights petition was filled by the CPA challenging the new appointment of the Chief Justice, as the CPA contends the appointment as illegal and in violation of their rights and the rights of the people.<ref>{{cite news|title=CPA files FR against Mohan Peiris|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24999-cpa-files-fr-against-mohan-peiris.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref> They sought two interim reliefs that would have prevented the approval of the new Chief Justice and the prevention of his accepting the post and the functioning of his office.<ref name=hindu150113/><ref name=ST150113>{{cite news|title=New Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, PC assumes duties|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28963:cj-expected-at-supreme-courts-security-beefed-up&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 January 2013|access-date=15 January 2013|archive-date=15 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115100458/http://sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28963:cj-expected-at-supreme-courts-security-beefed-up&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|url-status=dead}}</ref> Three other fundamental rights petitions against the impeachment have also been referred to the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastians|first=Dharisha|title=Govt. moves to reverse SC ruling on Standing Orders|url=http://www.ft.lk/2013/01/22/govt-moves-to-reverse-sc-ruling-on-standing-orders/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=22 January 2013}}</ref> These petitions will be heard by a panel of at least five Supreme Court judges.<ref>{{cite news|title=Anti-impeachment petitions put to CJ|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25167-anti-impeachment-petitions-put-to-cj.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=22 January 2013}}</ref> It is reported that the government is hoping that a fuller bench of the Supreme Court will reverse the 1 January 2013 ruling that the PSC was unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastians|first=Dharisha|title=Apathy in the aftermath|url=http://www.ft.lk/2013/01/24/apathy-in-the-aftermath-2/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=24 January 2013}}</ref>

The [[International Bar Association]]'s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) had established a four-member delegation headed by former [[Chief Justice of India]] [[J. S. Verma]] to visit Sri Lanka on a fact-finding mission about the impeachment.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chhibber|first=Maneesh|title=‘Refused’'Refused' visa, Verma-led jurists’jurists' visit to Lanka off|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-refused--visa-vermaled-jurists--visit-to-lanka-off/1068581|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The other members of the delegation were [[Baroness Prashar]], Shane Keenan and [[Sadakat Kadri]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastians|first=Dharisha|title=Former Indian CJ changes his mind|url=http://www.ft.lk/2013/02/02/former-indian-cj-changes-his-mind/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=2 February 2013}}</ref> The mission had to be cancelled after the Sri Lankan government withdrew the delegates visas on 29/30 January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Forced postponement of IBAHRI high-level delegation visit to Sri Lanka|url=http://www.ibanet.org/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleUid=A282D954-2B80-4599-B45F-E195827F0596|publisher=[[International Bar Association]]'s Human Rights Institute|date=1 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Narayan|first=S. Venkat|title=Former Indian Chief Justice JS Verma cancels visit as Sri Lanka refuses visa|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=71802|newspaper=[[Sunday Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The Sri Lankan government defended the visa withdrawal, stating that the delegation was intent on interfering in the country's sovereignty.<ref>{{cite news|title=Int'l Bar Assn. members violated visa rules-SL|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25472-intl-bar-assn-members-violated-visa-rules-sl.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=3 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Radhakrishnan|first=R. K.|title=Sri Lanka clarifies on visa rejection|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-clarifies-on-visa-rejection/article4375411.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 February 2013}}</ref>

Bandaranayake's controversial impeachment has drawndrew much criticism and concern from within and outside of Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka parliament votes to impeach chief justice|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-12/an-sri-lanka-parliament-votes-to-impeach-chief-justice/4462056|newspaper=[[Australia Network]]/[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=12 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka draws flak over chief justice impeachment|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130112-sri-lanka-draws-flak-over-chief-justice-impeachment|newspaper=[[France 24]]/[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=12 January 2013}}</ref>

Opposition politicians, lawyers, judges and other civil society groups have criticised the impeachment as an attempt to curb the independence of the judiciary and concentrate powers with President Rajapaksa.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka's chief justice found guilty|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/12/2012128111252703744.html|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|date=8 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Turmoil in bid to oust Sri Lankan justice|url=http://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Turmoil-in-bid-to-oust-Sri-Lankan-justice-4022198.php|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]/[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=8 November 2012}}</ref> They also claim the impeachment is in retaliation for the Supreme Court blocking the Divi Neguma Bill.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shirani Bandaranayake: Sri Lanka judge impeachment hearing begins|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20458156|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=23 November 2012}}</ref> After the impeachment motion had been passed opposition MP [[Mangala Samaraweera]] claimed that Sri Lanka had become a [[dictatorship]]: "Up to yesterday at least we kept up appearances of being at least a nominal democracy. But as of Friday night, the Rajapaksa Government sheds the façade and the country becomes a pariah of the international community".<ref>{{cite news|title=Mangala calls Lanka an official dictatorship after impeachment vote|url=http://www.ft.lk/2013/01/12/mangala-calls-lanka-an-official-dictatorship-after-impeachment-vote/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=12 January 2013}}</ref>

41st Chief Justice of Sri Lanka [[Sarath N. Silva]] expressed disappointment over the appointment of former Attorney General Mohan Peiris. Silva proposed the appointment of a sitting Supreme Court judge saying, "given the controversy that has been created over the impeachment of the Chief Justice, only the appointment of a senior Supreme Court judge as the next Chief Justice would have resolved the problem."<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka disappointed with President's choice for top judge|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12B/Jan15_1358230209JR.php|publisher=ColomboPage|accessdateaccess-date=15 January 2013}}</ref>

{{UNO}} - In November 2012 [[United Nations Special Rapporteur]] on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, urged the Sri Lankan government to reconsider the impeachment and ensure that any hearing complies with "the fundamental principles of due process and fair trial".<ref>{{cite news|title=UN independent expert concerned over reports of intimidation of judges in Sri Lanka|url=httphttps://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43489&Cr=sri+lanka&Cr1=#.UMOhULbDLPQ|newspaper=UN News Centre|date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

[[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] Secretary General [[Kamalesh Sharma]] issued a statement on 15 November 2012 in which he expressed concern about the impeachment, stating that Sri Lankan constitutional provisions regarding independence of the judiciary must be respected.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commonwealth Secretary-General concerned about parliamentary move to impeach Sri Lankan chief justice|url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/251337/151112srilankaimpeachment.htm|publisher=[[Commonwealth Secretariat]]|date=15 November 2012|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105204258/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/251337/151112srilankaimpeachment.htm|archive-date=5 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sharma issued another statement, on 11 January 2013, which stated that "The Commonwealth, collectively, is profoundly concerned about this situation" and urged the Sri Lankan government to pause and carefully consider the ramifications before taking any decision on impeachment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka Impeachment: Commonwealth Secretary-General concerned and urges pause|url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/252565/110113sgsl.htm|publisher=[[Commonwealth Secretariat]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Carefully evaluate the ramifications- Commonwealth to SL|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24952-carefully-evaluate-the-ramifications-commonwealth-to-sl.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=12 January 2013}}</ref> On 13 January 2013 Sharma issued a third statement which expressed disappointment at Bandaranayake's dismissal, stating "The dismissal of the Chief Justice will be widely seen..as running counter to the independence of the judiciary, which is a core Commonwealth value."<ref>{{cite web|title=Dismissal of the Chief Justice in Sri Lanka|url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/252607/130113slcjdismissal.htm|publisher=[[Commonwealth Secretariat]]|date=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Commonwealth Chief disappointed|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24985-commonwealth-chief-disappointed.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=14 January 2013}}</ref>

{{UK}} - The [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] issued a statement on 11 January 2013 in which the [[British government]] expressed deep concern about the impeachment process, noting that "The motion to impeach the Chief Justice runs contrary to the clear rulings of Sri Lanka’s highest courts and the proceedings appear to contravene basic principles of fairness, due process and respect for the independence of the judiciary and the Commonwealth [[Latimer House Principles]]".<ref name=FCO110113>{{cite web|title=UK deeply concerned by move to impeach Sri Lankan Chief Justice|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-deeply-concerned-by-move-to-impeach-sri-lankan-chief-justice|publisher=[[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref> The statement went on to urge the Sri Lankan government to "respect democratic principles".<ref name=FCO110113/>

{{USA}} - The [[United States Department of State]] issued a statement on 2 November 2012 which expressed concern about the impeachment and urged the Sri Lankan government not to interfere with the independence of the judiciary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Impeachment Proceedings Brought Against Sri Lankan Chief Justice|url=httphttps://www2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/11/200062.htm|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|date=2 November 2012}}</ref> The department issued another statement, on 7 December 2012, which urged the Sri Lankan government to "guarantee due process, and to ensure that all investigations are conducted transparently and in accordance with the rule of law".<ref>{{cite web|title=Ongoing Concerns on Rule of Law in Sri Lanka|url=httphttps://www2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/201684.htm|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|date=7 December 2012}}</ref> The [[United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives|US embassy in Colombo]] issued a press release on 12 January 2013 in which expressed deep concern about the impeachment and urged the Sri Lankan government to "uphold the rule of law and respect the principles of democratic governance".<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Embassy On Impeachment Process|url=http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/pr-11-jan2013.html|publisher=Embassy of the United States in Sri Lanka and Maldives|date=12 January 2013|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115041038/http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/pr-11-jan2013.html|archive-date=15 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=US deeply concerned|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24942-us-embassy-concerned-about-proceedings-in-defiance-of-sc-order.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref> At a press briefing on 15 January 2013 State Department spokesperson [[Victoria Nuland]] expressed concern about the impeachment's impact on the democratic process, saying "we were concerned about the perception of reprisals against somebody for independent thinking and action".<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Press Briefing|url=httphttps://www2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2013/01/202846.htm#SRILANKA|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref> The following day Nuland stated that the explanation given by the Sri Lankan government regarding the impeachment was not "satisfactory in terms of protecting democracy".<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Press Briefing|url=httphttps://www2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2013/01/202928.htm#SRILANKA|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|date=16 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=US not satisfied with government's explanation on impeachment of CJ|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29166:us-not-satisfied-with-government-explanation-on-impeachment-of-cj&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=18 January 2013|access-date=27 January 2013|archive-date=20 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120112453/http://sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29166:us-not-satisfied-with-government-explanation-on-impeachment-of-cj&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[International Commission of Jurists]] (ICJ) issued a statement on 6 December 2012 which stated that the impeachment process ignored "international standards and practice" and urged the Sri Lankan government to uphold the independence of the judiciary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka: Chief Justice’sJustice's impeachment hearing violates due process|url=http://www.icj.org/sri-lanka-chief-justices-impeachment-hearing-violates-due-process/|publisher=[[International Commission of Jurists]]|date=6 December 2012}}</ref> The ICJ then issued a statement on 11 January 2013 which condemned the impeachment, stating "Sri Lanka’s parliament and executive have effectively decapitated the country’s judiciary in pursuit of short term political gain. As an immediate matter, this has precipitated a legal and constitutional crisis of unprecedented dimensions".<ref>{{cite web|title=ICJ condemns impeachment of Sri Lanka’sLanka's Chief Justice|url=http://www.icj.org/icj-condemns-impeachment-of-sri-lankas-chief-justice/|publisher=[[International Commission of Jurists]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ICJ, condemns impeachment of Chief Justice|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24939-cj-condemns-impeachment-of-chief-justice.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 January 2013}}</ref> On 15 January 2013 ICJ issued a statement which condemned Mohan Peiris' appointment as chief justice, describing it as a "further assault on the independence of the judiciary" and called for Bandaranayake's re-instatement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka: appointment of new Chief Justice undermines Rule of Law|url=http://www.icj.org/sri-lanka-newly-appointed-chief-justices-long-record-of-blocking-justice/|publisher=[[International Commission of Jurists]]|date=15 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Reinstate ex-Chief Justice-ICJ|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25043-reinstate-ex-chief-justice-icj.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=16 January 2013}}</ref> On 23 January 2013 44 senior judges and jurists from around the globe wrote an [[open letter]] to President Rajapaksa which condemned Bandaranayake's removal, urged her re-instatement, saying that the impeachment was "in contravention of the Constitution, international human rights law and standards, including the right to a fair hearing, and the rule of law".<ref>{{cite web|title=Concerning the removal of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake|url=http://icj.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ICJ-Open-Letter-Impeachment-Dr-Bandaranayake-Sri-Lanka.pdf|publisher=[[International Commission of Jurists]]|date=23 January 2013}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=International battle ahead; possible questions from Commonwealth|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130127/columns/international-battle-ahead-possible-questions-from-commonwealth-30452.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=27 January 2013}}</ref>

On 28 January 2015 the government of Sri Lanka, having removed all obstacles for Bandaranayake to hold her position as the 43rd Chief Justice by the President Maithripala Sirisena, on the grounds that her 2013 impeachment was unlawful and as such the appointment of Mohan Peiris, her successor, was void ''Ab initio''. This paved the way for Bandaranayake to resume duties on 28 January 2015.<ref>http{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31021540|title = Sri Lanka reinstates Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake|work = BBC News|date = 28 January 2015}}</ref>

On 28 January 2015, the day that she resumed duties, [[Bar Association of Sri Lanka]] Chairman [[Upul Jayasuriya]] said that a special function had been organized in view of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake retiring from serving as Chief Justice with effect from the following day, 29 January 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hirunews.lk/102268/update-farewell-ceremony-to-43rd-cj|title = Update: නව අගවිනිසුරු ශ්‍රීපවන්ට ශිරාණි බණ්ඩාරනායක සුබ පතයි}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/goodbye-to-the-first-ever-lady-chief-justice-of-sri-lanka/|title = Goodbye to the First Ever Lady Chief Justice of Sri Lanka|date = 29 January 2015}}</ref>

{{hidden|headerstyle=background:#ccccff|style=text-align:center;|{{note|Motion1|A}} 117 signatories of impeachment motion (all UPFA)<ref name=OP>{{cite journal|title=Seventh Parliamentary First Session|journal=Order Paper of Parliament|date=9 November 2012|issue=222|pages=13–21|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?documentID=PUB4179|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310224358/http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?documentID=PUB4179|archive-date=10 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>|

{{hidden|headerstyle=background:#ccccff|style=text-align:center;|{{note|Motion2|D}} Voting on impeachment motion<ref>{{cite journal|title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report|journal=Hansard|date=11 January 2013|volume=214|issue=4|pages=510–666|url=http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?published=Y&documentID=PUB4364|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219000445/http://www.parliament.lk/news/ViewPublication.do?published=Y&documentID=PUB4364|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2013|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]}}</ref>|

** [[Democratic National Alliance (Sri Lanka)|DNA]] (6) - [[Tiran Alles]], [[Anura Kumara DissanayakaDissanayake]], [[Sunil Handunnetti]], [[Vijitha Herath]], Jayantha Ketagoda and [[Arjuna Ranatunga]].

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130118022839/http://www.mirror.lk/news/4620-i-have-been-unjustly-persecuted-and-vilified-ex-cj ‘I have been unjustly persecuted, and vilified'- ex CJ]

[[Category:Impeachment|Bandaranayake, Shirani]]