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A more efficient judicial system in three years: Sabry

04 Aug 2021

A special three-year plan will be implemented to reduce the current congestion in the judiciary and expedite the settlement of cases, Justice Minister PC Ali Sabry said at a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice yesterday (03). Sabry noted that although there are more than 200 judges per million population in the developed countries, Sri Lanka now has only 15 judges. Accordingly, the number of judges is expected to increase to 218 and the number of courts to 245, the Minister said.  He further stated that the development of the infrastructure required for these judges will be expedited under this next three-year plan. It was revealed that the digitization of the judiciary has already begun and an agreement has been reached with the relevant technological service providers to conduct court meetings through e-filing systems and video conference systems. It is expected to strengthen the Mediation Board and the number of disputes resolved is expected to double by next year. It was also revealed that steps have been taken to establish land mediation boards in several areas including Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Kilinochchi to resolve land disputes. The Minister said that several expert committees have been set up to reform the judicial system and the report of the committee set up under the chairmanship of Supreme Court Judge Samayawardena has been received.  In line with the recommendations of this committee report, infrastructure facilities including the establishment of new courts will be improved, he added. It was revealed that steps will be taken to construct new District Courts in Mahara and Welisara, a Magistrate Court and a District Court in Mirigama Magistrate Courts in Beruwala and Kalutara Meegahatenna areas in accordance with the recommendations of the committee.


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