The Mahanayake Theras of the three main Nikayas have requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to reconsider the need for the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake that had been handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa by ruling party MPs on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Mawatte Chapter Mahanayake the Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sumangala Thera, Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake the Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera, Amarapura Nikaya Mahanayake the Ven. Dawuldena Gnanissara Thera and the Ramanna Nikaya Mahanayake the Ven. Napane Pemasiri Thera have in a letter to the President said it appeared that there was an atmosphere of crisis in the country and among the international community, centered round the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The full text of the letter is as follows –<\/p>\n
4th November 2012
\nHis Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse
\nPresident
\nDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
\nTemple Trees
\nColombo<\/p>\n
Your Excellency,<\/p>\n
Re- Impeachment motion against the Chief Justice, handed over to the Honourable Speaker
\nIt appears that there is an atmosphere of crisis within the country and amongst the international community, centered round the impeachment motion against Mrs. Shirani Bandaranayake, the Chief Justice, handed over to the Honourable Speaker, which has even drawn the attention of the general public. So many individuals consulted us on this same subject. Hence we thought it is appropriate for us to draw your kind attention to this issue.
\nIrrespective of which is supreme out of the three entities, the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary, when it comes to safeguarding law and order of the country, it is clear to any person who respects the principles of democracy that all three institutions are not second to each other in supremacy.
\nLaw is bonded with human civilization and is for the welfare of human beings. <\/p>\n
Therefore the essence of Buddhist law is to consider it as the duty to subjugate the unrighteousness and propagate righteousness by controlling behaviour of individuals and ensuring the well being of society.<\/p>\n
Therefore we consider it the supreme duty of all those who expect the well being of humanity, to create an environment where the law can be implemented independently and impartially.<\/p>\n
Lord Buddha when he advised the Lichchavi rulers on “Saptha Aparihani Dhamma” showed as the third “Aparihani Dhamma” “Refraining from introducing laws which were not introduced in the past and following laws already existing without violating them; accepting old ethics of the Vajjins and following them, it will bring them good and they will not be harmed”. <\/p>\n
In accordance with the above sermon of Lord Buddha, we consider it very important that decisions should be taken with the utmost patience, highlighting justice, drawing the attention of the country, society and nation. <\/p>\n
History too has confirmed that when dealing with the judiciary which contributes immensely to protect the rights of all, including the common citizens of the present democratic society, action should be taken carefully and patiently without harming the trust placed by the public on judiciary.<\/p>\n
Therefore in our opinion, it is not proper to create an atmosphere of suspicion in the minds of the people, about the judiciary, obstructing the creation of an environment where problems have to be solved by the country unitedly amidst natural disasters, international interference, political, economical and social crisis.
\nHence, we kindly request to reconsider analytically the need for an impeachment motion handed over to the Honourable Speaker, against the Chief Justice, Mrs. Shirani Bandaranayake.<\/p>\n
May you have the refuge of the Triple Gem.<\/p>\n
Davuldena Sri Gnanissarabhidhana\t\t\tNapana Pemasri
\nThibbotuwawe Sumangala\t\t\t\tUdugama Sri Buddharakkhitha
\nChief Imcumbent\t\t\t\t\tChief Imcumbent
\nMahanuwara Uposhitha Pushparama Vihara\t\tHayagiri Wijayasundararama Vihara
\nThibbotuwawe Sri Sumangalabhidana\t\t\tUdugama Sadharma Keerthi
\nMaha Nayake Sthavira\t\t\t\t\tSri Rathanapala Buddharakkhithabidana
\nMahaviharawanshika Shyamopali Mahanikaya\t\tMaha Nayake Sthavira
\nMalawathu Mahaviharaya\t\t\t\tMahaviharawanshika Shyamopali Mahanikaya
\nMahanuwara\t\t\t\t\t\tAsgiri Maha Viharaya
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMahanuwara\t<\/p>\n
\nUththareethara Maha Nayake Sthavira\t\t\tNapana Sripemasriyabhidhana
\nAmarapura Maha Nikhaya\t\t\t\tMahanayake Sthavira
\nWidyavijayaramaya, Pagoda\t\t\t\tRamanaya Maha Nikhaya
\nNugegoda\t\t\t\t\t\tVidyasagara Privena\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMenikhinna<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n