The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, the Standing Orders are very clear; I too have read them. I did not speak about anyone’s personal conduct, especially not about the Hon. Chief Justice’s personal conduct or that of judges serving on the Judicial Service Commission or others. I have adhered to Standing Order 83(1). I raised a matter of fairness: everyone has a right to a fair trial. When people are sent to prison by judicial orders, do they not have the right to know why judges themselves are sent home? Is it not fair? Does natural justice not apply to them? Are they a different class of people?

¶ 02 I am asking that the process be implemented properly and that an inquiry be conducted into how it is being implemented. Previously, this was not an issue; only in the past 10–15 years has talk emerged that a “good judge” was sent out. If wrongdoers exist, let fair decisions be made and remove them; we have no issue. We are not standing for any individual or claiming anyone has done wrong. We only seek proper measures regarding the process. Remember, issues can arise for anyone in future. The present Chief Justice may be here today and gone tomorrow; other judges may come and go; governments too. History shows judges have been sent home and later restored under different Presidents. We all are subject to the law somewhere. One may be a Chief Justice, another a judge, I, the Speaker, or anyone might someday face consequences for wrongdoing. If one acts arrogantly while in a high seat, deeds will follow thereafter. Keep that in mind.

¶ 03 Next, I wish to raise the matter of the Speaker’s official residence. Hon. Chairman, according to the Establishments Code there are four gazetted official residences in Sri Lanka: the President’s House, the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, the Speaker’s Official Residence, and the Chief Justice’s Official Residence. Of these four, the Speaker’s residence is allocated to you; you cannot give it to anyone else; you cannot even decide to give it to anyone. We respectfully request: please do not relinquish it. Earlier, you did not use the BMW; now you do, which is good—earlier you went by cab.

¶ 04 Also, I wish to note that Mr. Ranasinghe, a security officer of Parliament who served 33 years, will retire on the 17th of this month. We extend our respect and thanks for his service and wish him a good retirement.

¶ 05 Thank you for the time given today to present several matters.