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Tribunal of retired peers to probe allegations against judges
A motion to amend Standing Orders of Parliament including those dealing with the removal of judges, was tabled in the House this week by Rajiva Wijesinha, State Minister of Higher Education.
This is part of the 100 day program that has been undertaken by the new government.
Under the proposed amendments, instead of a Select Committee of Parliament which now probes allegations of misbehaviour or incapacity, set out in a resolution against a judge, such an investigation is to be conducted by a tribunal consisting of one or more retired Judges.
It is after the conclusion of such an inquiry that the tribunal will report its findings to a Parliamentary Select Committee which can deliberate on such findings and present a report to Parliament with its recommendation within one month from the commencement of the sittings.
After the consideration of the report of the tribunal and the recommendation of the Select Committee, Parliament will vote on a resolution for the presentation of an address to the President for the removal of a Judge from office on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, and if such resolution is passed by Parliament, the Speaker shall present such address to the President on behalf of Parliament.
In addition, changes are proposed to several other Standing Orders including ones to give more representation to Opposition members in Parliamentary committees.