Threat on the Judge: “I cannot act since it is by another Minister” says Justice MinisterHakeem, Opposition says independence of judiciary violated

RauffHakeem , Justice Minister said today that he cannot take any action against the errant Minister who threatened the Mannar Magistrate, since Hakeem is a Minister himself. “Though I am against this action since I myself I am a lawyer, I cannot take any actions against the Minister since I too am a Minister” said Hakeem.

“As a Lawyer, I also condemn this act” hesaid.

Hakeem is also the leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the leading Muslim political party in Sri Lanka. He said this during a press briefing held today.

The opposition UNP said that the incident is a severe threat against the independence of the judiciary of Sri Lanka. UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya stated that this act is a severe attack on the independence of the judiciary as well as on its dignity.

Meanwhile, work in Courts across Sri Lanka came to a halt today as lawyers everywhere staged a walkout in protest against a Cabinet Minister’s threat on the Magistrate of Mannar. Judges attended only the urgent cases and disputes within their official rooms. Police has reportedly started a probe on the errant Minister.

- Asian Tribune -