Lawyers Collective Condemns Death Threats to Attorneys
Namal Rajapakshe and Manjula Pathiraja
The Lawyers Collective strongly
condemns death threats to two of it’s leading members, Attorneys-at-Law, Mr. Namal
Rajapakshe and Mr. Manjula Pathiraja. Mr. Rajapaske and Pathiraja have been
leading human rights activists and lawyers with long experience in
public interest litigation. They appeared in series of sensitive cases
challenging arbitrary actions of all organs of the Government, including the Defence Authorities.
Around 6.20pm on 13th
September 2014, two unidentified men with full faced covered helmet and
jackets, had rushed to the legal office of Mr. Rajapakshe, situated near the
Thorana junction, Kelaniya, in the Colombo district. One of them had been
armed, and he had taken Mr. Rajapakshe to a corner, and threatened that he and Mr.
Manjula Pathiraja would be killed, if they appear in “unnecessary cases”. They
particularly mentioned about several cases where Mr. Rajapakshe and Mr.
Pathiraja had appeared against a controversial Buddhist monk. The two
individuals had then fled on an unidentified motorcycle. Mr. Rajapakshe had made
a complaint at the Peliyagoda Police Station bearing number CIB/III - 230/123.
On 4th August 2014, Attorneys
Mr. Rajapakshe, Mr. Pathiraja and Mr. Lakshan Dias were intimidated by a group
of thugs inside the Maradana Police
station, in front of the Head Quarters Inspector. The three of them were making
representations on behalf of their clients, on the breaking up of a peaceful
private meeting and criminal trespass. Mr Rajapakshe had made a complaint regarding
this incident on 5th August 2014. No actions have been taken by the
Police in respect of this intimidation.
Mr. Rajapakshe, Mr. Pathiraja and Mr.
Dias have frequently appeared for victims of human rights violations across the
country, irrespective of ethnic and religious backgrounds, often pro bono. They
have made themselves available for emergencies at all times and days. While
upholding the highest traditions of the legal profession, all three of them
have been well respected and committed human rights defenders who have been
taking forthright and courageous positions on issues of democracy, rule of law
and human rights in Sri Lanka.
We urge the Inspector General of Police
to take immediate steps to ensure the protection of all three of them and to
take all possible steps to hold accountable, all those responsible for these
threats and intimidation.
Lal Wijenayaka
Chandrapala Kumarage
JC Weliamuna
Conveners
Lawyers Collective
14th September 2014
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