Elmo Fernando in Colombo

High court judges carry coffin of slain judge

Pleased with the governments decision to implement death penalty again, the chief justice speaking to BBC Sandeshaya at the slain judges funeral said, "had this decision been taken earlier, we would have avoided such a calamity."

Judges and lawyers throughout the island suspended court on Monday to attend the funeral of judge Ambepitiya in Colombo.

The body lay in state at Sri Lanka's high court complex in Hulftsdorp before being taken to the Borella cemetry.

Judge Ambepitiya and his police bodyguard R.A. Upali was gunned down in Colombo on Friday.

Deputy Secretary of the high court judge union K T Chitrasiri told BBC that while the underworld is intimidating judges, the police are yet to honour its promise to set up a separate unit for the security of judges.

" We would have avoided this calamity" - CJ

Solicitor General C R De Silva termed the killing an attack on "civil society". Calling for measures to curb organised crime he was of the view that it can be done within the present framework.

Welcoming the government’s decision to activate the death penalty Sri Lanka Bar Association President Ikram Mohammed appealed to the media not to "ridicule the judiciary unnecessarily".

Attorney General (AG) K C Kamalasabesan warned that rule of law is in danger. New laws should be in place as getting law and order back in track is of highest priority, added the AG.

Police investigating the killing have interviewed over 50 people and released sketches of four suspects.

Government owned press reported on Monday that Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando will be personally supervising investigations into the killings.