Sri Lankan civil society groups have called an urgent “Black Friday” street protest and demonstration tomorrow to denounce efforts to remove Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake through an impeachment motion.
Anton Marcus, Convenor - Citizens' and Trade Union Collective for Judicial Independence, called the protest a few hour after Parliament began to debate the impeachment of Ms Bandaranayake. A vote on the motion is to be taken tomorrow evening in the ‘most bleakest day in recent history,” he said.
In a statement, Mr Marcus urged “... all citizens to make tomorrow a black day by wearing black, carrying only black parasols/umbrellas, raising black flags where possible, carrying black flags in vehicles and 3 wheelers, etc.”
The group strongly protest the government's action in organising mobs against the peaceful protest march this morning called by the Lawyers' Collective in demanding that the illegal impeachment motion be withdrawn from parliamentary debate.
“The government thus proved it would not only violate the Constitution of this country, but would also use any sort of thuggery to violate the Constitution for its advantage. A possible chaotic situation due to this intervention by the government we believe was averted, as the Lawyers' Collective could not be so provoked and also because the police discharged their duties with restraint and with responsibility rarely seen before.”
He said it is therefore very clear the government would proceed as decided by them, even using thuggery and force.
“Black Friday” call to protest impeachment of Chief Justice
