Protest march prompted by claims against chief justice

A parliamentary committee dominated by government supporters ruled on Saturday that financial irregularities were enough to "warrant her removal from office."

But protesters said President Mahinda Rajapaksa was attempting to crush judicial independence after Ms Bandaranayake had ruled that a law giving a raft of powers to the economic development minister - and the president's brother - was unconstitutional.

Ms Bandaranayake and four opposition MPs walked out of the committee because the seven ruling-party members did not establish a proper procedure for the hearing or allow Ms Bandaranayake access to a witness list.

The report will be put to a vote when parliament reconvenes next year, after which the president will decide whether to dismiss or retain the chief justice.