^{Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader and Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem addressing media during a briefing at the Party Headquarters Darusalam today (20). Pic by - Sanjeewa Lasantha}

Minister of Justice Rauf Hakeem today stated that as a fellow lawyer and member of the Bar Association, he strongly condemns the alleged threatening of the Mannar Magistrate by a Minister and the attack on the court complex.

The Judges Association of Sri Lanka (JASL) say they will resort to legal action while the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had decided to boycott court proceedings today, after a Minister had allegedly threatened the Mannar Magistrate demanding that he overturn a ruling.

The attack reportedly saw mobs hurling stones at police and court buildings in the town of Mannar on Wednesday, and police firing tear gas at the protesters.

Hakeem stated that it was deeply regretful that such a situation had risen.

He said he had been informed of the incident by the Judicial Service Commission and that yesterday it was reported that the Judges Association of Sri Lanka has decided to strike. “Such a strike action is not a normal occurrence.”

When inquired by reporters regarding the alleged involvement of a Cabinet Minister in the incident, Hakeem said as the Justice Minister he was not willing to speak about another minister.

“However, as a lawyer I condemn such an incident, if it had occurred.”

On the upcoming Provincial Council elections he stated that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress is a ‘decisive force’ in contesting the Eastern Province election, be it as a coalition party of the government or independently.  

The SLMC leader added that other criticisms could exist over the move to contest the election alone, however emphasized that the party has not engaged in any betraying of trust.