Attack on Puttalam Quazi: A judicial system cannot bypass the regular justice system

Women’s Action N e t w o r k,  a women’s rights activist group has condemned the  alleged physical assault on Puttalam Quazi Dr. Mohamed Rahmathulla Mohamed on March 26 and has

called for an impartial investigation into this crime and to hold perpetrators accountable.

 Issuing a statement, the organization which comprises a collective of eight women’s groups said that this is the third instance where a Quazi had been assaulted in Puttalam alone. “Dr. Rahmathulla has been appointed Quazi by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recently and has commenced his work in Puttalam. However, several factions are not happy about his appointment. A letter sent by the Puttalam Grand Mosque to MP Ali Sabry Raheem is being widely circulated expressing disapproval of his appointment and that their nominee has not been appointed while requesting him to intervene and review this appointment. Interestingly, the letter also adverts to ‘regionalism’ in an attempt to mention that the Quazi is not from Puttalam.”

 Further explaining the incident, the statement reads that the Quazi had visited MP’s house in Puttalam upon invitation. “However, we learn from several sources that there have been arguments and subsequently the Quazi has been beaten up by the MP and his relative.”

The Women’s Action Network also wishes to stress the urgent need to reform the Quazi System as a part of the country’s regular administration of the justice system ensuring the independence of Quazis in all parts of the country within the mainstream justice system

 “Quazis are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission. Should there be any concerns or complaints about the manner a Quazi is functioning or his conduct, they should be taken up with the JSC. No one is entitled to take the law into his own hands. However, there have been instances where Quazis encounter threats and intimidation in the community when they do not abide by the instructions of religious institutions and politicians.

 We also want to highlight the recent protest organized by Puttalam mosque on January 13, 2023, against the proposed reforms to the MMDA and most specifically targeting women who are working on MMDA reform with the victims.  We are well aware of how in the past the mosques and their Members (pulpit) have been abused to attack legal and religious scholars, activists and victims whenever they raise the need to reform the MMDA. 

 The most recent assault on the Quazi vindicates the call that has been made for well over four decades and reiterates the urgent need to reform the MMDA to be fully on par with the fundamental rights chapter of the Constitution. The Women’s Action Network also wishes to stress the urgent need to reform the Quazi System as a part of the country’s regular administration of the justice system ensuring the independence of Quazis in all parts of the country within the mainstream justice system. All judicial institutions should be protected against intimidation from powerful or influential persons or bodies including mosque administrations. The Judicial Service Commission which is vested with appointment and disciplinary authority over Quazis and the Ministry of Justice should treat this as an urgent matter and provide protection to all Quazis.