Punish those who interfere with judiciary: OPA

COLOMBO: The Organisation of Professional Association (OPA) of Sri Lanka called upon Law Enforcement Authorities to ensure that maximum punishment is meted out to persons who interfere with the Judiciary.

In a press release issued yesterday, the OPA expressed its strong condemnation of the conduct of Minister Mervyn Silva. The OPA also requested the President to consider the suitability of Silva to hold a public office.

The press release added:

"It has been reported that Mervyn Silva's son had recently assaulted a professional Chartered Accountant and had been charged by Police for committing the offence using a firearm. Under the law, no bail is permissible for such an offence.

Now it is reported that a gang of thugs had descended on the house of the Magistrate's mother hearing the case and demanded that she influences her daughter, the Magistrate to grant bail for Silva's son. It has also been reported that Silva with a group of people had barged into the Canadian High Commission demanding a visa for his son.

The OPA strongly endorses the statement of the Judicial Services Association and wishes to commend the strong stand taken by the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court recently on several such issues. Interference in the Judiciary is a criminal offence and must be dealt with severely.

Sri Lankan professionals have worked in many countries with great acceptance and established a reputation for professionalism and cultured conduct which will be nullified by the conduct of persons holding public office.

The OPA calls upon the Law Enforcement Authorities to ensure that maximum punishment is meted out to persons who interfere with the Judiciary like Silva.

The OPA also requests the President to consider the suitability of Silva to hold a public office."