The UN's Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, condemned the increasing reports of intimidation and attacks on judges and judicial officers in Sri Lanka.
In a news release, Knaul said:
“I urge the Sri Lanka Government to take immediate and adequate measures to ensure the physical and mental integrity of members of the judiciary and to allow them to perform their professional duties without any restrictions, improper influences, pressures, threats or interferences, in line with the country’s international human rights obligations,”
“The irremovability of judges is one of the main pillars guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary and only in exceptional circumstances may this principle be transgressed,”
“Judges may be dismissed only on serious grounds of misconduct or incompetence, after a procedure that complies with due process and fair trial guarantees and that also provides for an independent review of the decision,”
“The misuse of disciplinary proceedings as a reprisals mechanism against independent judges is unacceptable.”
“I urge the authorities to reconsider the impeachment of Chief Justice Bandaranayake and ensure that any disciplinary procedure that she might have to undergo is in full compliance with the fundamental principles of due process and fair trial,”