The National Joint Committee has condemned the move to impeach Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva. Dr. Piyasena Dissanayake General Secretary of the committee said that:

"The National Joint Committee views with grave concern and shock the media reports to the effect that the UNF Government intends initiating action to impeach the Chief Justice of the country consequent on the delivery by the Supreme Court of an advisory opinion on a reference by the President on the Republic on a question of national importance concerning the defence of the country."

"This is a dastardly and reprehensible move aimed at striking at the very roof of democratic governance. If the Government of the day resolve to attack the judiciary, every time the judges disagree with the Government, the very foundation of the independence of the judiciary so painfully and carefully protected and built up during the last 150 years is under attack. It is a pity if politicians who are mere temporary holders or power assume that the Supreme Court must concur or remain alient when any illegal or unconstitutional acts are so blatantly done by them."

"This country has suffered in the past at the hands of a previous UNP President who sought to intimidate the judges of the Supreme Court who delivered judgements considered unfavourable to him. We sincerely trust that the present UNP leadership will desist from following in the footsteps of his arbitrary predecessor. Let the entire nation rally round to protect this hollowed institution and defeat the conspiracies of anti national elements in our society."