The women of Domestic Workers Association (DWA) has begun a protest in front of the Aluthkade court requesting that the police arrest supreme Court Judge Justice Sarath de Abrew who is believed to have assaulted a domestic aid at his residence.
Meanwhile sources report that Sarath de Abrew will be attending a hearing at the Aluthkade 404 hall.
The 39 year old domestic (Nilusha Damayanthi) had complained to the Mount Lavinia police in the early hours of June 26 that she was assaulted the previous night.
She was admitted by the Police to the Kalubowila hospital soon after and was discharged only on Friday.Kalubowila Hospital Director, Dr. Asela Gunawardane told the Sunday Times that a Judicial Medical Officer’s report regarding the victim also will be submitted to courts on Tuesday.
The Police earlier filed a report in the Mt Lavinia courts on June 27 in which they say that the domestic had claimed that she had sustained injuries after the assault. She had claimed that she has been assaulted on several occasions by justice Abrew.
ASP Gunasekara stated that the team of police officers including the Assistant Superintendent of Police – Mount Lavinia has visited the judge’s residence on June 29, to record Justice Abrew’s statement, but he had refused to make a statement and asked police officers to come with Attorney General’s permission.
The CID made a second attempt to record his statement yesterday, but was told that Justice Abrew was away. ASP Gunasekara said that two women PC’s were provided for the protection of the victim while at hospital, following a request by the hospital.
Hospital Director Dr. Gunawardane said that Justice Abrew had visited the hospital several times to inquire after the victim’s well-being.
Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has written to President Maithripala Sirisena to take immediate steps against Justice Abrew. The BASL also has requested the Chief Justice not to allow Justice Abrew to hear cases or carry out public functions as a judge until the end of investigations against him. The Bar has urged other judges to step down if Judge Sarath de Abrew was on the same bench until police investigations are over.
