Bar Associations across the North will be boycotting court proceedings on Monday, in protest against a shooting in Jaffna in which a policeman was killed protecting a High Court judge.
“We underline the necessity for a speedy and professional investigation to instil confidence in the law and order machinery,” said the Bar Associations of Jaffna, Point Pedro, Mallakam, Chavahacheri, Kayts, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.
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Trincomalee lawyers join boycott, picket Trincomalee Court Complex
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Jaffna High Court judge Ilancheliyan was the suspected target of the shooting. His police bodyguard Sgt. Hemachandra died in hospital, succumbing to bullet injuries sustained in the incident. Two men were arrested on Sunday over their involvement in the shooting.
“We urge that the police should investigate the incident form all possible angles, without ruling out anything at this stage,” the statement continued. “The public perception of the incident believes that the Honourable Judge was targeted for the highly sensitive criminal cases that came before his court and that which he continues to hear.”
Judge Ilancheliyan told journalists that the incident was a “threat to the judiciary”, adding that he believed the attack to be related to any number of dangerous cases that he has been overseeing for the past eight months.
“This perception damages the confidence in rule of law and an independent judiciary,” said the Bar Associations.
“A professional investigation must clear the air, establish the facts and bring the suspects to book as early as possible.”
See the full text of their statement below.
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