Lawyers urge President to remove Minister

Responding to the threats exerted by the Cabinet Minister Rishad Badiudeen on the Mannar Magistrate A. Judeson, Lawyers for Democracy (LFD) yesterday urged the President to remove the Minister with immediate effect.

The LFD said confirmed information discloses that the Minister has interfered with the course of justice and threatened the Magistrate and thereafter the Court houses came under attack.

“The LFD is shocked to learn of the incident where the Minister had intimidated the Magistrate and obstructed the administration of justice,” LFD said in a statement.

In Case No. 396/12, the Magistrate has made judicial orders and the law requires the authorities to carry out the order of the Court. A minister has no lawful authority whatsoever to interfere with the course of justice.

While the Courts were in session, the attack was carried out and the Courts were damaged by an organised group of people, instigated by the Minister, LFD alleged. “This is the first time in the history of our Judiciary that such direct threats and physical attacks have taken place. This is an indication of the level of deterioration of the rule of law in the country,” it added.  LfD also reiterated the need to protect the institution of Judiciary and reminds the public of the Constitutional duty on all organs of the State to respect and protect the judiciary.

“Whist condemning the actions of the errant Minister and his goons, we are hopeful  that all political parties, civil society, media and individuals will be united, leaving behind their differences,  in urging stern action against the Minister and the group who attacked the Court houses. We urge the people to take all possible steps within their powers to restore Rule of Law, democracy and Constitutional values in the country,” said LfD, whose Convenors are Lal Wijenayaka, K.S. Ratnavale, Lakshan Dias, Chandrapala Kumarage  and J.C. Weliamuna.