Tamil political leaders condemn a member of the government under the guise of parliamentary privileges and pressuring the judiciary by denouncing the race of a judge.
Tamil political leaders point out that MP Sarath Weerasekera is trying to stir up racist feelings among the Sinhalese people by saying that a Tamil judge will intervene in the case related to the controversial Kurundi temple built at the Kurunthurmale archaeological site.
The Mullaitivu Bar Association, which unanimously passed a resolution condemning the statement of Rear Admiral Weerasekera, who is also a former Minister of Public Security, is scheduled to hold a protest in front of the Mullaitivu Court today (Tuesday 11).
MP Weerasekera’s quarrel with Mullaitivu Magistrate T.Saravanaraja has arisen when the judge took steps to stop him from speaking during a court inquiry held at the Kurunthurmale archaeological site on July 4.
When Magistrate Saravanarasa and all parties went there to investigate the complaint made by Adisivan Iyer Temple Administrator Council that the construction of the Kurunthurmale archaeological site was being carried out despite court orders, Parliamentarian Sarath Weerasekera was also present there along with a group of lay priests.
The MP Sarath Weerasekera has tried to state the facts when the Buddhist monks were allowed to perform religious ceremonies there by the order of the magistrate while the courts are investigating.
But Justice Saravanaraja, who refused to give his opinion, said that it cannot be allowed to publish the opinions of MPs, politicians or religious leaders. He emphasized that since it is a judicial matter, only the submissions of the lawyers are sufficient.
The magistrate also said that although other MPs were also present, none of them were allowed to express any opinion during the observation.
Ilangei Tamil Arasu Katchi Media Spokesperson, Member of Parliament MA Sumanthiran says that the judge came there with other parties to see if the court order related to the Kurunthurmale archaeological site has been violated, condemning the threatening statement of the government member.
“It is inappropriate for MP Sarath Weerasekera to criticize the litigant who came to fulfill his responsibility by using parliamentary privileges.”
Saying that Sri Lanka is a country of Sinhalese Buddhists, he cannot accept the views of this MP, who incites Sinhala racism, says the leader of the Tamil People’s National Alliance, Member of Parliament CV Wigneswaran.
The general secretary of the Tamil National Janata Peramuna, Member of Parliament Selvarasa Gajendran emphasizes that it clearly shows that his main aim is to intimidate the magistrate who started by using parliamentary privileges and to incite racism among the Sinhalese.
It is not known whether the Sri Lanka Bar Association or the Judicial Service Commission said anything regarding the statement made by the Rear Admiral in Parliament against the Mullaitivu Magistrate.
Meanwhile, Mullaitivu Magistrate T Saravanarasa has ordered that the reports of the Archeology Department and the Police should be submitted on August 8 regarding whether the new constructions have been carried out contrary to the court order.
Source: THE LEADER
