By Kapila Punchimanna

The battle between the government and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is likely to intensify, in the wake of certain decisions taken at an emergency meeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa had with several ministers and presidential advisors on Monday (24)

According to highly placed government sources, one of the recommendations made at the meeting was for the President to take stern action against certain JSC officials, using the powers vested in him constitutionally.

Government sources disclosed that the emergency meeting was called as a response to a statement issued by Secretary of the JSC, Manjula Tilakaratne, alleging various elements were exerting pressure and influence on the JSC, on certain official decisions it had made.

Sources said the meeting had focused especially on the activities of the JSC, and complaints received directly by the President against some its officials.

The ministers and the advisors had while emphasizing that the government should not ignore or be silent about the allegations levelled by the JSC, had urged that it respond, specifically to the allegations made by the Secretary of the JSC and various others in the legal field.

According to the sources, the ministers and advisors had urged that not to respond would reflect badly on the government and set a bad precedence in the eyes of the public.

The JSC recently issued a press statement detailing many attempts by the government to trample on its independence, following the Supreme Court expressing its determination on the Divi Neguma Bill, which it held to be unconstitutional until the Provincial Councils are consulted on the matters involved in the Bill. courtesy: Ceylon Today