Minister 'threatens' judiciary
The judiciary in Sri Lanka accused a government minister of trying to pervert the course of justice.
Judicial Services Association (JSA) said a group believed to be supporters of minister Mervyn Silva have entered the residence of Mt. Lavinia additional magistrate's mother. "They have requested magistrate's mother to ask the daughter to grant bail to a minister's son," JSA General Secretary, Bandula Nissanka Karunarathne told BBC Sandeshaya. Mother threatened Karunaratne who is also the Kandy District Judge added that the group has come back the next morning to ask whether the mother has passed the message to the magistrate, Dharshika Wimalasiri. The mother, he added, has repeatedly told the unidentified group that she had nothing to do with the judicial affairs. Non cabinet minister for Labour affairs Mervyn Silva's son, Malaka silva was remanded by the Mt. Lavinia magistrate for an alleged assault in a night club, a few weeks ago. Indepence of judiciary "It is very clear that somebody has tried to influence the judiciary," the Kandy District Judge said. Malaka is the only son of a minister currently remanded in custody. Minister Silva has thereafter threatened to use even his official weapon 'to get rid of all barriers' on his political path, according to Sri Lankan media. Senior ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopullai and Anura Priyadharashana Yapa who condemned his behaviour has pledged to take action against the controversial minister. The JSA said the group entering magistrate's mother's house amounted to interference on judiciary's independence. However, it is still early to accuse any particular person as investigations are underway, Justice Karunaratne added.