Chief Justice met with UN official despite Speaker’s attempt to stop it

<p>Visiting UN Special Rapporteur, Clément Nyalestsossi Voule met with the Chief Justice and High court judges despite assurance from the Speaker earlier this week to block the scheduled meeting.</p> <p>Speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said there had been a meeting between the UN Special Rapporteur and the Chief Justice but noted that it was a courtesy call in the company of foreign ministry officials.</p> <p>Ministry Additional Secretary Ahmed A Jawad had to written to the Chief Justice and High Court judges, telling them to provide the UN official with details regarding specific cases that are currently being heard by the Court.</p> <p>Several MPs, including Mahinda Rajapaksa, made statements in the House on Tuesday, raising concerns that the Foreign Ministry, through a letter sent to the Chief Justice, had attempted to arrange a consultation between the Chief Justice and High Court judges and the UN official.</p> <p>Rajapaksa urged the Speaker to stop the meeting, claiming that the meeting would be a gross violation of constitutional provisions.</p> <p>Responding to their statements, the Speaker told the House that he had contacted Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana to stop the meeting between the visiting UN official and the Chief Justice.</p>