Dec 08, Colombo: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has said that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to investigate the impeachment against the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake is unconstitutional.

The Bar Association has said that the PSC does not have jurisdiction to inquire into the charges against the top judge.

According to the BASL, proceeding with the impeachment process would impede the independence of the judiciary, Rule of Law, the basic principles of democracy and fundamental rights.

The Association said it had decided to convene a special general meeting on the 14th of this month to pass a resolution with regard to the impeachment process.

However, the Chairman of the Bar Association Presidents Counsel Wijedasa Rajapaksa told a local radio station that the association's stance on the findings of the PSC would be announced at a special executive meeting to be held tomorrow (December 09).

The BASL resolution will not recognize the removal of the incumbent chief justice and the appointing of a new chief justice, local radio Hiru FM reported.

The Bar Association says its lawyers will not appear before a new chief justice.

Further the judiciary body plans to notify the international community regarding the unconstitutional impeachment process against the chief justice and request international bodies such as the United Nations, Commonwealth and the International Bar Association not to recognize any new appointee to the office of Chief Justice.