• CJ says JSC has complained to IGP and that JSC is also probing same 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has sent reminders to the President’s Secretary, the Minister of Public Security, and the Police Department to inform the association of the progress of the investigations that are being carried out into the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah and the factors that led to it.

Through a letter dated 23 September 2023, addressed to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Saravanarajah tendered his resignation from a range of posts that he had held  – District Judge, Magistrate, Family Court Judge, Primary Court Judge, Small Claims Court Judge, and Juvenile Court Judge  – the letter read, due to threats to his life and a increased levels of stress he endured.

Following the much-talked-about resignation, the BASL reached out to Chief Justice (CJ) President's Counsel Jayantha Jayasuriya, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, and former Inspector General of Police Chandana D. Wickramaratne, and requested that the factors that led to Saravanarajah’s resignation be looked into through an impartial investigation.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne said that the BASL had received a response from the CJ, through the Secretary to the JSC. “The CJ has responded to us through the JSC Secretary, saying that they have already lodged a complaint with the IGP and that the Police is looking into the matter. We were also informed that there is a separate investigative arm at the JSC that is also looking into Saravanarajah’s resignation.”

He also said that they had been verbally informed by the Public Security Ministry that the Criminal Investigations Department was investigating the matter. “We have also sent reminders to President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Alles, and the IGP, requesting them to inform us of the progress of the investigations into this matter,” said Nawaratne.

Reports circulating on social media and online platforms read that Saravanarajah had resigned and left the country and that he had received death threats in connection with the lawsuit pertaining to the Kurundimale Viharaya (Kurundi Temple) in Mullaitivu. Following his resignation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe directed Ekanayake to launch an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the matter.