The JSA has however  decided to hold the conference at the original venue, Taj Samudra Hotel but limited to one day (i.e. 22nd December), with the voluntary contributions from the Judges themselves. Chief Justice Bandaranayaka will be the chief guest while Justice Wigneswaran will be the key note speaker.

“In a further development there is uncertainty whether the vehicles (cars)  that had been imported recently for the use of Superior Courts Judges (Court of Appeal and Supreme Court)  would be released to the judges.” the Lawyers Collective further says.

Meanwhile issuing a statement the Asian Human Rights Commission says; “Obviously, the government has tried to stop this annual gathering where the judges normally spend two days and also have the opportunity to interact with each other and to socialize. The obvious fear would be that the judges will naturally talk about the threat faced by the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka. Recently many events of concern have happened such as the attack by a minister with others on the Magistrate’s Court and the High Court of Mannar. The magistrate complained also that he was threatened by the Industries Minister Risath Bathiudeen. A contempt of court issue as well as criminal is pending on the matter. Then there was the attempted kidnapping and assault on the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission. Above all there is the attempt to get rid of the Chief Justice after the Supreme Court had given a ruling adverse to the government.”