Rajapaksas speaking about judicial independence is laughable: Deputy Minister Mahinda
23-Aug-2026.
United People’s Power MP Rohini Kaviratne has made comments that amount to insulting the Chief Justice. Such remarks are completely contrary to the Standing Orders of Parliament. What is the position of the Bar Association on this? It is laughable that the Rajapaksas, who politicised the judiciary, are now speaking about judicial independence, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe said.
He made these remarks while speaking during the parliamentary debate on the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill on August 20.
He further said:
“MP Namal Rajapaksa comes to the House, speaks for a short while and then runs away from the chamber when an attempt is made to respond to him. This has become his habit. Namal Rajapaksa is now speaking about the independence of the judiciary.
“The people of this country have not forgotten that his Government unlawfully removed then Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake from office in 2013.
“The people have not forgotten how the Rajapaksas politicised and exerted pressure on the judicial system. Namal Rajapaksa is attempting to make people forget the killing of Thajudeen. But the people will not forget it. Those who wore white clothes and committed crimes are now speaking about judicial independence. They were the ones who created the ‘white van culture’.”
“An Opposition member who, when summoned for an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, claimed that he had been bitten by a snake, is now speaking about the independence of the judiciary.
“The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution has not been introduced targeting any individual. It has been introduced to make appropriate changes to the judicial structure and its functioning.
“United People’s Power MP Rohini Kaviratne has made comments insulting the Chief Justice. This is completely wrong under the Standing Orders of Parliament. What is the Bar Association’s position on this? MP Namal Rajapaksa has welcomed Kaviratne’s comments. Today, the two sides are working together,” he said.
