Jaffna HC judge turns benefactor

Policeman’s fatal shooting in the North

Jaffna High Court Judge Manikkavasagar Ilangvelian gave an assurance that he would take care of the deceased Police Sergeant Sarath Hemachandra’s two children just as his own children. During the funeral of the police officer in his security unit who had been killed in the shooting near Nallur Kovil in Jaffna on July 22, the judge said that he would consider it his duty to ensure the well-being of the police officer’s children.

“Sergeant Hemachandra was an honest police officer who provided me protection for more than 15 years. He laid down his life in protecting me from the gunmen. It is doubtful whether the vacuum created by him in the police service could be filled or whether I could find a police office of his calibre. I promise to do whatever is possible for the well-being of his children,” he said.

High court judges and magistrates in Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts and staff of the Jaffna High Court attended the funeral. However, no minister or parliamentarian was present.