Mar 18, Colombo: Sri Lanka's impeached Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on Monday morning.

Dr. Bandaranayake, who was ordered to appear before the Commission to deliver a statement on charges of embezzlement against her, filed a preliminary objection today.

She informed the commission that she would make a written submission pertaining to the allegations against her, prior to April 1.

Protesters gathered outside the Bribery Commission premises and stood silently to show support to the embattled former Chief justice.

A lawyers' organization in Sri Lanka, the Lawyers Collective said the summoning of the impeached Chief Justice to appear before the Commission is a 'witch hunt'.

Dr. Bandaranayake, the first female Chief Justice of Sri Lanka was impeached in January this year by a parliamentary procedure. She has been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on 18th March 2013.

The Bribery Commission has also indicted Bandaranayake's husband, Pradeep Kariyawasam who was the former chairman of the National Savings Bank for alleged corruption in a transaction causing loses to the bank.