Lawyers Collective condemns threats against Appeals Court judges

The Lawyers Collective yesterday condemned in the strongest possible terms the threatening calls that were made to two Appeals Court judges on 6 January.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, senior lawyer and activist J.C. Weliamuna said that these were unprecedented acts and urged the authorities to launch a swift and impartial inquiry against the threats. The President of the Court of Appeal Justice Sri Skandarajah and Justice Anil Gooneratne both received threatening phone calls on Sunday night on the eve of hearing the Chief Justice’s writ application.

“These judges quashed the findings of the PSC. If the Government does not act to investigate into these threats and bring the callers to justice, we will be forced to conclude that the Government is responsible for the acts,” Weliamuna added.

Meanwhile, Lawyers throughout the country are expected to join in the Peoples’ March commencing at 10 a.m. at Hulftsdorp to protest against the impeachment debate that will begin in Parliament tomorrow. The Lawyers Collective said that they will be joined by the opposition parties and civil society.

The UNP and the JVP have both decided to officially join the march and we are grateful for the support, Weliamuna said. The Judicial Services Association has also decided to support any decision made by the Bar Association to safeguard the independence of the Judiciary. Some 14,000 lawyers all over the country are expected to keep away from courts today and tomorrow, and accordingly the lower courts will not function. (DB)