JSC Secretary assaulted by unidentified group

By Dharisha Bastians

Secretary to the Judicial Services Commission Manjula Tillekaratne was assaulted by an unidentified group in Mount Lavinia and hospitalised yesterday, officials said.

Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana told Daily FT that the assault had been carried out by four persons on Sunday morning, although no arrests had been made so far. SSP Rohana said that Tillekaratne suffered lacerations to his face and also confirmed that his mobile telephone had been stolen. “Investigations are ongoing,” he said.

The assault on the JSC Secretary occurred at Hotel Road Mount Lavinia, close to S. Thomas’ College, the Police Spokesman added.

According to Police reports, Tillekaratne was accosted by four men in a car after he dropped his wife and son off at the school and parked his car nearby to read a newspaper. The four assailants allegedly argued with the JSC Secretary before assaulting him with the blunt end of a pistol. He is presently receiving treatment at the Merchant’s Ward of the Colombo National Hospital.

The attack comes weeks after the JSC Secretary in an unprecedented move issued a statement alleging interference with the independence of the Judiciary.

Last Monday, (28), during the JSC’s monthly press briefing, Tillekaratne told journalists that the lives of members of the Judiciary and their families were in danger following an intense mud-slinging campaign motivated by his statement. The attack took place even as the country was caught up in anticipation of the ICC World T20 Finals, where Sri Lanka was set to face off against the West Indies.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday condemned the attack on the JSC Secretary and ordered the IGP to launch an investigation into the matter to bring perpetrators to book. The Department of Government Information said the Government had “condemned with disgust” the assault on the JSC Secretary.

Former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya and former Army Chief and DNA Leader Sarath Fonseka visited Tillekaratne in hospital last afternoon. Other visitors included Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, Opposition MPs Eran Wickremaratne and Daya Gamage and Colombo Mayor, A.J.M. Muzammil.

Karu Jayasuriya said the assault on the JSC Secretary had been carefully orchestrated and could not be the work of an amateur gang. The attack on Tillekaratne was not just an attack on the judiciary but on democracy as a whole, he said. “Terrorism may have been defeated but today a different kind of terrorism is being perpetrated on those who dare to oppose the regime,” the UNP MP said.

Wickremaratne told the Dialy FT that it was a shame that someone who should have been protected was not. “JSC Secretary is a constitutional position and therefore is entitled to security. His security is withdrawn over the weekend and someone knew he was vulnerable. Clearly room was left for this attack,” he said. The Opposition legislator added that Tillekaratne’s security was of even more importance after he claimed last week that his life was under threat.  Certain members of the Judicial Services Commission including the Secretary are provided the same security as afforded to District Court Judges and Magistrates, the Police Spokesman explained. They are provided security during weekdays but security is withdrawn once they reach home each day, he said. Judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and the High Courts are provided round the clock security. Security is provided by the Judicial Security Division in Colombo and suburbs and by the regional police divisions in all other parts of the country.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka meanwhile summoned an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. yesterday to determine their course of action regarding the attack. Members of the Bar decided that they would support any decision by the Judges Association and roundly condemned the attack on the JSC Secretary.

Former Executive Director of Transparency International and Attorney at Law J.C. Weliamuna said that Tillekaratne was an upstanding judicial officer and a fearless and strong personality. “Everyone knows the Government is battling the Judiciary. And Manjula has already made a statement he and his family are under threat,” the constitutional lawyer said.

Magistrates, District Judges to strike

Magistrates and district judges will refrain from attending to duties today as protest on the attack on JSC Secretary. The Judicial Services Association has decided to keep away from work as well.