Jaffna shooting | Policeman injured:
Two Police Officers escorting Jaffna High Court Judge M. Ilancheliyan, who is currently presiding over the Vidya Sivayoganathan case, was shot at yesterday evening in the vicinity of the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil.
Speaking to the media after the incident, Judge M.Ilancheliyan said the attack was a threat to the judiciary of the country. “The assailant appeared to be well trained in shooting,” he said, adding that he requested President Maithripala Sirisena and Inspector General of Police, Pujith Jayasundara to take necessary action to ensure the safety of the judiciary. The Judge has now been provided with additional security detail consisting of STF personnel.
According to sources the incident had occurred on the Jaffna-Point Pedro Road while the Judge and his family had been in a car which was being escorted by the police officer.
The policeman were travelling on a motorcycle at the time of the incident.
Sources said the assailants had arrived on a motorcycle and had seized the service pistol of the policeman while proceeding to shoot him with it. The Judge according to eyewitnesses had alighted from the car and shouted at the suspect to stop shooting the Policeman when he was pushed back into the car by another policeman for his protection. The gunman had then turned on the second policeman, sources said.
While neither the judge nor his family members were harmed, both Police officers, identified as Wimalasiri and Sarathchandra were admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for treatment.
However, the condition of one is said to be critical.
Jaffna High Court Judge M. Ilancheliyan is part of the three member bench presiding over the controversial case regarding the rape and eventual murder of Jaffna school girl, Vidya Sivayoganathan.
Jaffna Police are carrying out investigations into the shooting.