Order Please!!! "උසාවිය නිහඬයි"

P.S. (The screening of the film has been banned till Oct 19 by a court order) 
“Silence in the courts” is the first documentary film by well known film maker Prasanna Vithanage, who has directed seven feature films, all highly acclaimed and recipients of numerous local and international awards.  In his maiden documentary Vithanage explores the theme of abuse, focusing on high ranking officials of the judicial service. 

The 57-minute documentary film which has already been screened in Russia and India as well as shown to selected audiences in Sri Lanka, Vithanage narrates a story of a magistrate who sexually abuses the wives of suspects. It is a true story which was first ignored by the media but later brought to public attention in the 1990s thanks to the relentless investigative efforts of the Ravaya and its then editor, Victor Ivan.  The story of how a woman is repeatedly spurned as she seeks help is probably indicative of the plight of many in her situation. She goes to the Judicial Service Commission, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Lawyers for Human Rights and Development headed by Kalyananda Thiranagama.
  Finally, she takes her case to the Ravaya. 

“The victims of this incident which took place almost one and half decades ago are yet to get justice.  The punishments meted out seem to be trivial when one considers the offences.  Two innocent and vulnerable village women as well as many others are still awaiting justice.  My purpose in this documentary is to open the eyes of society to the darker side of the judiciary,” says Vithange.

The Magistrate who used his power and wealth to prey on these women was found guilty on all charges before a tribunal by the Judiciary Services Commission, but he was not dismissed.  The film shows us how he used the lawyers, the court officials as well as member of the clergy and people of the area to get his name cleared. Vithange claims that ‘even some newspapers stood with him without seeking the justice for the victims.’

Vithanage’s “Silence in the Courts,” produced by H.D. Premasiri, reveals the pathetic lifestyles the villagers and how the corrupt and vile prey on their helplessness. 

The film will be released end of this month or early October for public screening and the director is willing to make available his film anywhere in the country free of charge. He assures that he has not changed any of the statements made by the victims to the tribunal. He uses newspaper articles related to the incident, especially those published in the Ravaya, to build the story.  He also provides letters signed by the then Attorney General and Judiciary Services Commission. Victor Ivan who fought an almost solitary battle and senior lawyer Kalyananda Thiranagama are also featured.

The director also reveals that the main suspect had earlier been found guilty on five charges of wrongdoing when he was an employee of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.  The experienced director questions not only the behavior of the magistrate, but also the integrity of a lawyer who aids and abets the magistrate.  He speaks to the conscience of the audience and offers that this is a social issue that unfortunately is not touched on by the media or any other organization. 

“This is, for me, more than a film. I stand for the justice which was not served in several years before. Even today is not too late to deliver justice and I and my team are all for it,” Vithanage added.