Ex-chief justice fears for her life
2013-01-15 19:55
Colombo - Sri Lanka's sacked Chief Justice Shirani
Bandaranayake said on Tuesday she feared for her life and was forced to quit
her official residence because of the threat of violence.
Speaking to reporters from her car as she drove away from
the Colombo residence, Bandaranayake said she also feared for the safety of her
husband and son.
"My life is in danger. The lives of all three of us
are in danger," she said.
"I wasn't even allowed to say my goodbyes to the
people whom I worked with at the Supreme Court for over 16 years."
Bandaranayake, the first woman to hold the country's
highest judicial position, was sacked by President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday
two days after parliament voted to impeach her.
Despite a chorus of international criticism and threats
of a legal challenge, Rajapakse swiftly filled the vacancy on Tuesday by
appointing the government's senior legal adviser Mohan Peiris as
Bandaranayake's successor.
In a separate statement to reporters, Bandaranayake said
she was still the lawful chief justice because superior courts have already
held that her impeachment was unconstitutional and illegal.
"I still am the duly appointed legitimate Chief
Justice," she said adding that she was leaving her official residence only
because she feared violence. She said she was also prevented from going to
courts on Tuesday following threats.
"Since it now appears that there might be violence
if I remain in my official residence or my chambers, I am compelled to move
out... particularly because violence is directed at innocent people including
judges," she said.
Ruling party supporters had beaten up lawyers and
demonstrators who backed Bandaranayake last week in the wake of court rulings
against a parliamentary select committee report that found her guilty of
misconduct.
Lawmakers found Bandaranayake guilty of tampering with a
case involving a company from which her sister bought an apartment, of failing
to declare dormant bank accounts, and of staying in office while her husband
faced a bribery charge.
She has said the charges were politically motivated and
she was denied a fair trial.
