Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has issued a directive for a comprehensive investigation into the events that led to the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah.

According to reports, Minister Tiran Alles has issued instructions to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to conduct a comprehensive probe into the resignation of the Judge and his departure from the country. 

In a letter addressed to the Judicial Services Commission, dated September 23, 2023, Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah informed his decision to step down from the post of District Judge, Magistrate, Family Court Judge, Primary Court Judge, Small Claims Court Judge, and Juvenile Court Judge.

The Mullaitivu District Judge further stated in his letter, that the decision has been taken due to threats to his life and stress, hinting at the Kurunthur Malai case. 

In June 2022, the Mullaitivu District Judge had issued an order prohibiting any form of construction at Kurunthur Malai, an ancient hindu temple. 

However, Justice Saravanarajah is reported to have left Sri Lanka after handing in his resignation in which he had cited threats to his life and undue pressure from state authorities over his ruling pertaining to the Kurunthur Malai case. 

Following his resignation, several law associations in Sri Lanka had called on the state authorities to conduct an inquiry into the allegations, while pointing out the threat to the state’s judiciary. (NewsWire) 

The post CID inquiry into resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge appeared first on Newswire.

The Lawyers’ Collective has raised concerns over the sudden resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah.

Issuing a statement, the Collective said that in his letter of resignation addressed to the Judicial Service Commission, Justice Saravanarajah alleges that there were threats to his life. 

The Collective said that it is imperative, given the serious implications it has for matters pertaining to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, that the matter be fully investigated with measures to assure independence and impartiality. 

“We believe that transparency is key, and that the general public must be informed of measures taken and the outcome of such inquiry without delay,” the Collective added. 

Meanwhile, the Young Lawyers Association of Sri Lanka has also demanded an impartial investigation into the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah.

Issuing a statement, the Association said Justice Saravanarajah’s resignation letter claims that he tendered his resignation due to ‘threat’ to his life and due to ‘a lot of stress’. 

Thereafter, a whatsapp message was circulated which contains allegations on Member of Parliament Sarath Weerasekara, the Government and the Attorney General for directly threatening him regarding his orders on the Kurunthur Malai case. 

If these allegations are true it raises serious concerns regarding the executive’s interference in independent judicial functions, the Association claimed. 

The Association demands that the Judicial Service Commission conducts an impartial inquiry into the allegations against the Government and the Attorney General which has been circulated in the media.

Concerns have been raised after Justice Saravanarajah tendered his resignation citing threats to his life due to the court order delivered related to the Kurunthur Malai temple, which is an ancient Hindu Temple. 

It is reported that the Justice had issued an order preventing the construction of a Buddhist Temple in the premises of the Kurunthur Malai temple. (NewsWire)

The post Law Associations raise concerns over resignation of Mullaitivu Judge appeared first on Newswire.