‘Black Friday’ declared today!

The Citizens’ and Trade Union Collective for Judicial Independence has declared today as ‘Black Friday,’ given the fact that Parliament will take up a vote on the motion to impeach the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

“We strongly protest the Government’s action in organising mobs against the peaceful protest march called by the Lawyers’ Collective in demanding that the illegal impeachment motion be withdrawn from parliamentary debate,” the organisation said.

“The Government thus proved it would not only violate the Constitution of this country, but would also use any sort of thuggery to violate the Constitution for its advantage. A possible chaotic situation due to this intervention by the government we believe was averted, as the Lawyers’ Collective could not be so provoked and also because the police discharged their duties with restraint and with responsibility rarely seen before,” it added.

Noting that it was very clear the Government would proceed as decided even using thuggery and force, the Citizens’ and Trade Union Collective said it was joining the Lawyers’ Collective in declaring 11 January as a ‘Black Friday’ to mark the most bleakest day in our recent history.

It called upon all citizens to mark the black day by wearing black, carrying only black parasols/umbrellas, raising black flags where possible, carrying black flags in vehicles and three wheelers, etc.