To step down, CJ wants diplomatic posting: BASL

• Mohan Peiris’ ‘spokesman’ says CJ has not resigned
• CJ44 fails to show up for meeting with President and PM
• BASL to make tough decisions tomorrow

By Dharisha Bastians Chief Justice Mohan Peiris was making a diplomatic posting the condition of his resignation, Bar Association President Upul Jayasuriya said yesterday. Jayasuriya said Peiris was refusing to step down from office unless he was given a diplomatic posting to London, Brazil or Rome. “The Bar does not want a Chief Justice who begs for diplomatic postings,” Jayasuriya told Daily FT. “He is refusing to step down unless he is given a posting,” the BASL President said. The makings of a tussle between the Government and the Chief Justice emerged yesterday, with Mohan Peiris insisting he had not resigned from office, while ministers of the ruling party insist he had agreed to step down. Chief Justice Mohan Peiris has not resigned from office, an attorney calling himself a “spokesman” to the head of the Judiciary announced yesterday. Wijeratne Kodipilli, a lawyer who said he was speaking on behalf of Chief Justice Peiris addressed reporters outside the Superior Courts Complex yesterday. “It was reported in the media that Chief Justice Peiris had resigned from office - there is absolutely no truth to these claims,” Kodippilli told media personnel. The spokesman for the Chief Justice said Peiris had neither submitted a letter of resignation nor issued a statement announcing his resignation. Kodipilli said he had been instructed to speak by Chief Justice Peiris. Peiris is under heavy pressure to step down from office by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Government, both due to his controversial appointment to the head of the Judiciary and his alleged presence at Temple Trees on the morning of 9 January, when the new administration claims an attempt was made by the defeated Rajapaksa regime to hold power by force. Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne who informed the media on Wednesday that Chief Justice Peiiris had agreed to resign from office, insisted that a communication in this regard had been received. Minister Senaratne said Chief Justice Peiris had tried to meet with President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday, but failed to secure the meeting since the Cabinet meeting was underway. “A meeting was scheduled with the President on Thursday,” the Cabinet Spokesman said. However, Pieris did not turn up for the meeting with the President and the Prime Minister yesterday, Government sources say. Minister Senaratne scoffed at the idea that a Chief Justice had a “spokesman.” “This is the first I am hearing of a spokesman for judges. This is why the conduct of the Chief Justice must be investigated,” the Minister said. Meanwhile Bar Association President Jayasuriya told Daily FT that the association would meet on Saturday (24) to make a decision on whether lawyers were going to continue to function under the present Chief Justice. “We will take whatever action we can take. We don’t want to serve under this kind of beggar Chief Justice,” Jayasuriya charged.