A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Sunday, July 23, 2017
Jaffna Judge Says President Must Ensure Judicial Independence If Trials Are To Be Free And Fair
The rape and murder trial of Sivaloganathan Vidya took
a new turn today when a judge hearing the case at the Jaffna High Court
came under gun fire by an unidentified man this evening. Soon after the
shooting, the judge, Manakkawasagar Illancheliyan who
was unharmed called on President Maithripala Sirisena, Defence Minister
and Justice Minister to ensure that the independence of the country’s
judiciary is safeguarded, if trials are to be free and fair.
Speaking to the media soon after the incident, Illancheliyan, who is a
member of the trial-at-bar that is hearing the rape and murder case of
Vidya said, “I request the President, Defence Minister, Justice
Minister, the Chief Justice and the Secretary of the Judiciary Service
Commission to take this incident very seriously and take steps to
safeguard the independence of the judiciary and protect the judges which
will ensure a free and fair trial”.
Illancheliyan explained that it was obvious that he was the target in
the shooting, although he was unhurt, when the unidentified gunman
opened fire towards him and his police bodyguards. One police officer
sustained injuries and was admitted to hospital. The incident occurred
today evening around 5.30 pm near the Nallur Kovil in Jaffna, which was a
regular route taken by the judge.
Illancheliyan also said that, “this is a real threat to the judges and
the judiciary. I am handling one of the most dangerous cases in Jaffna
and this matter should be taken in utmost seriousness by the Government
of Sri Lanka.”
Incidentally the shooting also comes just days after the Criminal Investigations Department arrested Senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe for allegedly helping a key suspect, Mahalingam Sivakumaran alias Sashikumar escape. He was however later arrested in Colombo.
Sivaloganathan Vidya was 18 years old at the time she was abducted,
raped and murdered by a gang in May 2015. The rape and murder trial of
Vidya began on June 28, 2017 before a three member bench at the Jaffna
High Court. The three member bench comprised of Balendran
Shashimahendran, Annalingam Premshankar and Manakkawasagar
Illancheliyan. A total of nine suspects who were arrested in connection
to the case have been served indictments on 41 criminal charges
including abduction, gang rape and murder. (By Munza Mushtaq)