SC Judge to be impeached for moral turpitude

Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe yesterday warned the government would not hesitate to impeach the Supreme Court Judge charged with sexual harassment, after August 17.

Minister Rajapakshe in an interview with the Sunday Observer said action would be taken to protect people's trust in the judiciary. "This is not the first time such charges have been brought against this particular judge," he said, pointing out that complaint of alleged sexual violence and harassment had been made against the Judge on four separate occasions.

However, he said this was the first time in the island's history that a Supreme Court Judge charged with sexual abuse, had been released on bail. Rajapakshe pointing out that an impeachment motion had never been moved against a Judge, of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal, for moral turpitude, said the Attorney General has filed a report and the government was responsible for the removal of the judge with questionable conduct, by impeaching him. "He has not done anything to undermine this government but nobody should be above the law,' the Minister said, adding, "Allowing such persons to continue will result in the erosion of public faith in the judiciary."