Offering food to a suspect by Colombo Additional Magistrate Judicial Service Commission will be requested to investigate

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the Judicial Service Commission will be requested to investigate the action of Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatte who had offered food to a suspect, and take action if necessary. 

This was mentioned by the Minister in response to MP Premanath Dolawatte and others who wanted action against the magistrates.  

“It is the Judicial Service Commission which has the power to take disciplinary action against a judge. I am therefore prepared to request a probe against the magistrate if the MPs send me the complaints against her in writing,” the Minister said.  

MP Premanath Dolawatte who referred to the Daily Mirror story that appeared on Thursday titled “Lawyers urge Attorney General not to interfere with the Judiciary” said the judicial officer concerned has acted in an unacceptable manner, “This is a bad precedent as other judicial officers may also follow this example .