On 8 October 2012, Mr Manjula Tillakeratne - the secretary of the Judicial Services Commission was assaulted by four unidentified men. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed at least three times, and his mobile phone was stolen. This attack reportedly took place after the Judicial Service Commission had issued a statement denouncing attempts to interfere with and propaganda against the judiciary, particularly regarding the Judicial Service Commission. According to higher education minister S.B. Dissanayake, the assault on the Judicial Service Commission secretary is nothing other than a conspiracy hatched by local and foreign forces.