A personal protection officer of a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil high court judge died today after being shot by unidentified man during a failed assassination bid on the judge, police said.

The officer was injured and hospitalised in Jaffna's Nallur area on Saturday after the unidentified man snatched his revolver while attacking Justice Manickavasagar Illancheliyan.

Justice Illancheliyan was unhurt while the policeman had suffered injuries.

The wounded police officer who was admitted to a Jaffna hospital has died, police said.

"I saw a civilian approach my escort and trying to remove his pistol. He fought for several minutes to grab the weapon," Ilencheliyan told reporters.

A fearless judge, Illancheliyan had struck terror in the hearts of criminals in the Tamil-dominated Jaffna town.

"I am handling the most dangerous cases in Jaffna. I call on the authorities to ensure protection of judiciary," he said.

Ilanechelian's car was caught in a traffic block in Nallur junction when the shooting took place.

Justice Ilanechelian had presided in high profile rape and murder case of Sivaloganathan Vithya, a young student in May 2015. The incident had caused much public outrage.

A deputy inspector general of police was arrested and remanded last week by the judge.

(DNA India)