The Minister for Public Security, Tiran Alles, has issued an order for the Criminal Investigation Department to conduct an investigation into the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah. This decision follows an order by President Ranil Wickremasinghe.
Judge Saravanarajah had presided over contentious cases, including those related to the Kurunthurmalai Archaeological site and the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave. In his resignation letter, he cited receiving death threats from various government officials, especially MP Sarath Weerasekara in Parliament. He also mentioned pressure from the Attorney General to change his verdict regarding the Kurunthurmalai case and surveillance by the intelligence service, which took advantage of his reduced security detail.
Judge Saravanarajah submitted his resignation to the Judicial Services Commission on September 23rd and subsequently left the country. He held multiple positions, including Mullaitivu District Judge for the District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court, Small Claims Court, and Primary Court.
Following the judge's resignation, the Sri Lanka Bar Association has offered its resources for the investigation. In a statement, the association expressed concern that such actions not only undermine the independence of the judiciary but also erode public trust in the justice system.
