The Bar Associations in the North-East have called off their ongoing strike but will continue to stage their protest to highlight the eroding independence of the judiciary and the lack of safety for judicial workers on the island, after a judge was forced to flee last month.
Following the protest in front of the Supreme Court in Colombo by lawyers from the North-East and South, and protests across the North-East condemning the threats that forced Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah to flee last month, the Bar Association has decided to call off their strike.
An eight-day strike was held with lawyers from all Bar Associations in the North-East region jointly participating.
However, despite the end of the strike, the lawyers will continue their protest by wearing black cloths over their mouths during official proceedings, as symbol of protests against the lack of free speech on the island.
Saravanarajah resigned from his posts and fled the island due to death threats and mounting pressure from the Sri Lankan government last month.
