Jan 04, Colombo: A Sri Lankan government minister has expressed gratitude to the main opposition United National party (UNP) for the party's decision not to respond to the Court of Appeal notice.

The UNP decided not to respond to the Court of Appeal notice that asked the party representatives in the parliamentary select committee (PSC) probed the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice to appear in court on the 3rd when a writ application filed by the Chief Justice was taken up for hearing.

Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has expressed his gratitude to the UNP on behalf of the government for the party's decision.

The Minister has made this statement at a news conference yesterday.

Also addressing the media at the conference, Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has said that follow-up action on the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice would only be at the discretion of the President.

He has added that the impeachment proceedings have been included in the parliament agenda.