Retired High Court judge Manikavasagar Illancheliyan has revealed that he was deprived of the opportunity to continue serving for an additional four years due to circumstances beyond his control.
Speaking before the Tamil community in London, Illancheliyan reflected on a distinguished career that included presiding over high-profile criminal cases, notably the rape and murder of Sivaloganathan Vithya.
He also survived a failed assassination attempt in July 2017 near Nallur Kovil in Jaffna, which claimed the life of his police escort.
Illancheliyan, who previously served as President of the High Court Judges’ Association and topped the seniority list of 90 judges, recounted efforts to expedite his promotion before his retirement date of 20 January 2025.
He highlighted a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on 28 November 2024, attended by ten High Court judges, where the urgency of promotions ahead of court and holiday vacations was emphasized.
Despite assurances and a photograph with the President, Illancheliyan noted that delays—including Dissanayake’s trip to China in January 2025—meant he retired without being promoted, thereby missing four more years of service.
“I did not willingly go on retirement but was forced to retire,” he said, holding back tears.
While acknowledging the President as a good person, Illancheliyan said the injustice could still be rectified, though no interest was shown in addressing the matter.
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