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Among the continuing acts that erode democratic institutions in Sri Lanka is the recent impeachment of the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers who head various arms of the Sri Lankan government run a repressive and autocratic regime that does not brook opposition. Despite this, the opposition parties Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Tamil National Alliance along with civil society bodies like the Federation of University Teachers' Associations and students have come together to fi ght back.Rohini Hensman (rohinihensman@yahoo.co.uk) is a Researcher and Activist, and Author of Workers, Unions and Global Capitalism: Lessons from India.to read the article: http://www.epw.in/commentary/independent-judiciary-and-rule-law.htmlsource: www.epw.in