‘Human Chain’ protest in Jaffna demanding impartial probe over Judge resignation

A ‘human chain’ protest, organized by civil society outfits, political parties and lawyers collectives calling for an independent probe over the resignation of Mullaithivu Judge T. Saravanrajah was staged today from Jaffna town to Maruthanarmadam covering ten kilometres stretch on the main Kankesanthurai (KKS) road. 

Lawyers attached to Courts in the North and East also boycotted the proceedings protesting against the increasing trend of interference in the judiciary and urged authorities to ensure the independence of the judiciary. 

Following the resignation of Mullaithivu District Judge on the basis of life threats due to his handling of a controversial case, President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed his Secretary to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident with immediate effect. 

In his resignation letter dated September 23, Judge T. Saravanarajah informed the Judicial Services Commission that he is resigning from all sitting positions as District Judge, post of Magistrate, post of Family Court Judge, post of Primary Court Judge, pots of Small claims Court judge and post of Juvenile Court judge "due to threat of my life and lot of stress,"

Judge Saravanarajah came under severe criticism in the recent past from hardline Buddhist groups in the South over his handling of a highly contested archaeological site of Kurunthurmalai, Mullaithivu which is claimed by both Hindus and Buddhists as a place of their religious worship and historical links.

Earlier, Judge Saravanaraja called for a report from the Department of Archaeology on allowing the construction of new infrastructure on the premises despite court-issued specific orders issued earlier not to do so after it was brought to the attention of the Court. 

When the Judge carried out an inspection tour of the contested site in July for Magistarian inquiry, Buddhist monks along with Sri Lanka Podhujana Peramuna (SLPP)  Parliamentarian Sarath Weerasekara tried to make representations but were barred. 

Days later, MP Weerasekera, using his Parliamentary privileges criticized the orders issued by the Judge in Parliament while questioning his mental stability and alleged judges serving in North and East are against preserving Sinhala Buddhist heritage sites in the two provinces. 

On August 17, the Court had to intervene again to issue an order to reiterate its earlier order of allowing Hindu devotees to engage in religious activities on the premises without causing damages to any archaeological objects when Mullaithivu police sought an order to prevent the gathering citing ethnic tensions in the district.  (Pix by N.Lohathayalan)