Nepotism in judiciary

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 

Former Chief Justice Asoka de Silva who is now advising the President to impeach present Chief justice and former supreme court judge Jagath Balapatabendi are close relatives.

Asoka de Silva’s daughter is married to the son of Jagath Balapatabendi. Jagath Balapatabendi is the present chairman of bribery and corruption commission of Sri Lanka. Balapatabendi’s son , Isuru Balapatabendi is a State counsel working at the Attorney General’s department. He has married Asoka de Silva’s daughter.

During the wedding reception. Mahinda Rajapakse offered a gift of a diplomatic posting to the young couple. So Isuru Balapatabendi was posted to Sri Lanka Embassy in the Netherlands as First Secretary for 03 years. This appointment was approved by the Cabinet which is just a rubber stamp of Mahinda Rajapakse. The young couple moved to Netherlands in 2008. In Netherlands Asoka de Silva’s daughter studied for a LLM degree and the husband spent time at the Sri Lanka embassy doing nothing but receiving salaries at tax payers expense. Due to these obligations Asoka de Silva and Jagath Balapatabendi are indebted to Mahinda Rajapakse. Therefore, they will do anything assign by MR.

The case of recently appointed Appeal Court Judge Jayatilake is also interesting. He is a close relative of Lalith Weeratunga. Jayatilake’s son Deeptha Jayathilake was also appointed as a Clerical Officer in the Sri Lanka Embassy in Sweden. According to patriotic Sri Lankans living in Sweden Deeptha Jayathilake has worked in the Embassy for 03 years until 2012. Deeptha Jayathilake was also appointed by the rubber stamp Cabinet. So, the country cannot expect any justice from the newly appointed Appeal Court Judge Jayathilake.

According to legal experts it is highly unethical for serving judges or officials in the judiciary to accept bribes like above as these judges and officials are expected to be neutral and serve justice to everybody equally. But MR and family has been able to give them incentives like diplomatic postings – to their sons and daughters and change discharge of justice.

The present Chief Justice will be framed both by Asoka de Silva, now presidential advisor and by Jagath Balapatabendi who is Chairman of Bribery Commission. Not only that her husband will also face a tough time due to Bala’s high post at the bribery commission.

Further, the wife of Public Trustee Senevirathne – who is regarded by all right minded people as a serious crook – Indira Senevirathne was recently appointed to a diplomatic post in the Sri Lanka High commission in Delhi by the Rajapaksa regime. It is also understood that moves are underway to appoint sons and daughters of district judges and magistrates to all diplomatic missions around the world.

Sadly it is only in Sri Lanka judges accept bribes for their kith and kin. So, god (if there is any) bless Sri Lanka!