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Summary Sri Lanka's judges and lawyers boycotted courts on Monday to protest against an assault on judge.
About 500 lawyers and staff wearing black headbands marched in front of Colombos court complex. They carried a coffin, saying the weekend attack on Judge Manjula Tilakaratne symbolizes the death of independent judiciary.They held placards reading: Stand up to the protect judiciary. Protect lives of judges. Arrest those who attacked a judge.Tilakaratne, the secretary of the Judicial Service Commission that handles appointment and transfer of judges, was assaulted by four men on Sunday as he was in his car reading a newspaper after dropping off his son at school. He sustained injuries to his face and right hand. Police said an investigation is under way.Protesters said Tilakarartne had irked the government with a statement two weeks ago complaining of outside influences on the commissions decisions.A protesting lawyer J.C. Weliamuna said the attack was unprecedented and blamed the government for the attack.This attack symbolizes the death of Sri Lankas independent judiciary. Its not just an attack on one judge, it has dealt severe blow to the whole judiciary. The government should take the responsibility for this attack, said another lawyer Gunaratne Wanninayake.He demanded police to conduct an impartial inquiry and arrest the real suspects.District judges stayed away from work Monday, crippling court activities while lawyers also boycotted courts across the country, said lawyer Nuwan Bopage.In July, lawyers accused a government minister of threatening a judge who he disagreed with, and the politicians supporters were accused of stoning the court complex.
