Independent Commissions: Constitutional Council to call for applications from public

(Update)  The Constitutional Council decided to call for applications from the public for Independent Commissions following the meeting held today. 

The Council met today in Parliament, presided by the Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker and the Chairman of the Constitutional Council. 

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Members of Parliament  Sagara Kariyawasam, other council members Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr. (Mrs) Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere, Dr. (Mrs) Dinesha Samararatne were present at the Council meeting held.

The Council decided to publish the advertisement in newspapers of February 1, calling for applications for the appointment as Members of the Commissions specified in Schedule to Article 41B of the Constitution. Draft format of the application would be published on the Official Parliament website. The deadline to submit applications is February 15.

The Constitutional Council considered the recommendation of the President to appoint K.P. Fernando, President of the Court of Appeal as a Judge of the Supreme Court, to the post which fell vacant with the retirement of L. T. B. Dehideniya, Judge of the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Council unanimously approved the above recommendation. 

Further the Constitutional Council unanimously approved the nomination of Hon. N. B. P. D. S. Karunarathna, Judge of the Court of Appeal to be appointed as the President of the Court of Appeal, and the nomination of Mr M.A.R. Marikkar, High Court Judge to be appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal to the resultant vacancies.  

(10:12 am) The Constitutional Council will today discuss plans on appointing members to the Independent Commissions including the Elections Commission.

The Council meeting presided over by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is due to take place today morning.

The CC which met for the first time on Wednesday (25) decided to call for applications from interested and qualified individuals to serve as members of the Independent Commissions.

The Council will give a period of two weeks to receive applications from those interested in joining the independent commissions.

The appointment of the members of the Elections Commission has been in focus in view of the pending Local Government elections. However until the members are appointed the existing Commission members can function.

Among the other Commissions to which members are to be appointed are the National Police Commission, Human Rights Commission, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption and the Public Service commission.