3 October 2023 12:00 pm Views - 1748
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe challenged the Opposition to file a contempt of court case if anyone had pressurized Mullaitivu Magistrate to revise his judgment as claimed, without accusing the government of the incident.
The Minister told Parliament that the government had no powers to control the judiciary and that the government is only providing facilities and enacting laws.
He said this when Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella alleged that the Mullaitivu Magistrate had been pressurized to change his judgment.
The Minister said the Magistrate had informed the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) that he resigned due to threats and stress after he left the country.
"If he had undue influences, he should not have left the country and complain. According to the Constitution, he had powers to issue notices to the person who influenced him and summon him before court or issue an arrest warrant. He even can take up a case and punish the culprit or refer the matter to the Appeals Court or the Supreme Court. He should take the responsibility if he had not exercised his powers," he said.
The Minister said the government had no powers to investigate into the matter involving the Magistrate and that the JSC is the relevant body to handle the matter and requested if anyone had any issue, they could complain to the JSC.(Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)