Talatha rebuffs Salley’s comments on judges to the media

By Sandun A. Jayasekera   
While condemning the comments made by Western Province Governor Azath Salley on certain judges to the media on alleged extremist inclination, Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Talatha Atukorale yesterday said Mr. Salley still has the opportunity to talk to the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice or her on the judges with extremist tendencies if any.   

“I am extremely disappointed and saddened to hear the remarks that had been made by Governor Salley on judges. He should have made us aware of those judges if any who have extremist tendencies. It is not proper on the part of Governor Salley to criticize judges before TV cameras. I express my deepest regret to judges if they felt hurt by these comments,” Minister Atukorale said.   

Ms Atukorale said she did not want to make this issue a media circus but the comments made by Mr. Salley on judges affect all judges and added Sri Lanka’s judges command a huge respect locally and globally for their independence, forthrightness and efficiency.   

She also requested Mr. Salley to inform the Chief Justice and her about any judge or judges if any who’s performance in administration of justice is not satisfactory and not to make comments on them to the media and added the government would not hesitate for a moment to take action against judges after consulting the Chief Justice for any misconduct after proven guilty.