1/24/2013 7:36:35 PM

January 13, 2013
Ottawa, Ontario

Stephen Harper today issued the following statement regarding the dismissal of Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake:

"Canada is deeply concerned by Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa's decision to remove the Chief Justice from office following an impeachment process which appeared to be highly politicized and lacking transparency and respect for the guarantees of due process and fair trial.

"We call on the Government of Sri Lanka to respect the country's constitution and the independence of its judiciary and change course immediately.

"Canada continues to have serious concerns about the human rights situation, the need for reconciliation, and the democratic deficit in Sri Lanka. We will continue to raise these concerns forcefully, without equivocation both directly with the Government of Sri Lanka and through resolutions at both the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

"We will push for this latest troubling development to be addressed at the next meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group."