President Mahinda Rajapaksa has signed the decree removing Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake from her post and the removal letter was hand delivered to her official residence this morning, Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said.

Meanwhile, Lawyers of Dr. Bandaranayake acknowledged receipt of the removal letter sent by the President this morning. However, they declined to comment on the next course of action.

The Presidential Spokesman has issued the following statement:

Chief Justice removed with immediate effect
“President Mahinda Rajapaksa signed this morning the order removing Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake from office with immediate effect in accordance with the resolution passed by Parliament on January 11, 20013. This measure was taken in terms of Article 107 (2) of the Constitution.

The removal order was delivered this morning to the official residence of Ms Bandaranayake by a Senior Assistant Secretary of the Presidential Secretariat and an officer of the Presidential Security Division.

The President has said in his order that he was in agreement with the request for the removal of Chief Justice from office made in the said address of Parliament.”

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)