Colombo, Jan 28 (IANS): Sri Lankan lawyers and civil society organisations staged a large protest outside the Supreme Court in Colombo Wednesday to press for the resignation of the island country's controversial chief justice.

With slogans saying "Send CJ44 home", the protestors demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, claiming that his appointment was illegal, Xinhua news agency reported.

The protestors also warned that the agitation would continue outside the country's Supreme Court every morning till such time that Peiris steps down.

"He was appointed illegally by the former president. He is also a suspect in the coup attempt. He has to resign," one lawyer at the protest said.

The newly elected Sri Lankan government also has called for Peiris's resignation with the National Executive Committee stating that it would take action against Peiris "soon" if he did not step down on his own.

The government has been in negotiations with the chief justice to hand him a diplomatic posting in order to resolve the matter amicably after he demanded such a posting in exchange for his resignation.

The chief justice lodged a complaint with the police Wednesday, alleging that he was threatened by a group of people including a Western provincial councillor who visited his home Tuesday evening.

Police spokesperson Ajith Rohana told Xinhua that the chief justice lodged the complaint that the group including provincial councillor Azath Sally threatened him and asked him to resign immediately.

"We will investigate the complaint," SSP Rohana said.

However, Sally has denied these allegations.

Peiris has also been under continuous pressure to resign due to his presence at the presidential office shortly after the Jan 8 presidential election where it is alleged that the former government was deliberating on a coup attempt.

Though the previous government has denied these allegations, the matter is being investigated after a complaint was lodged with the criminal investigations department by the newly elected Maithripala Sirisena government.