<ul><li>Civil society group puts forward policy proposal&nbsp;</li><li>Urges fee transparency, protection for clients obtaining legal services</li><li>A legal costs tribunal, national legal fees code proposed&nbsp;</li></ul> The People’s Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste (PPABCW) organisation&nbsp; has submitted a policy proposal to the President, the Justice Minister and other relevant authorities calling for a comprehensive legal framework to regulate legal fees, improve fee transparency and strengthen protections for clients using legal services.The proposal, titled “Regulating Legal Fees and Protecting Clients: A Framework for Transparency, Fairness and Access to Justice in Sri Lanka”, which was shared with The Daily Morning by the organisation's President Kamantha Thushara, calls for the introduction of a Legal Fees Regulation Act and supporting regulations governing the transparency of legal fees and client protection.&nbsp;They have claimed that the cost of legal services has become a major practical barrier to accessing justice, with clients often entering into legal engagements without clear information about fees and facing unpredictable costs as cases continue.&nbsp;The proposal notes that the problem is aggravated by delays in the courts, pointing out that more than 1.13 million cases were pending before courts as at February 2025. It claims that prolonged litigation can increase fees, court appearances and other expenses, leaving clients with escalating financial commitments without adequate information about the costs that they are likely to incur.Thushara said that the proposed framework is not intended to impose broad price controls on lawyers. Instead, he said, it proposes greater transparency before a lawyer accepts instructions, accountability during the engagement, an independent review of disputed fees, the protection of the client’s money and better information on market rates.Among the main recommendations made by the organisation are mandatory written fee disclosures before accepting instructions, written engagement agreements for legal services costing more than Rs 50,000, itemised billing and official receipts, the annual publication of advisory fee ranges for routine legal services, limited fixed fees for certain standardised services, the establishment of an independent legal costs tribunal, mandatory client trust accounts with annual audits, digital billing and a national legal fees portal, an independent national legal fees commission to oversee the framework, regulated success fees for approved categories and litigation cost estimates faced by clients for claims exceeding Rs 5 million.&nbsp;The proposal recommends that every attorney-at-law provide a written fee disclosure statement setting out the scope of the work, the estimated fees, court expenses, taxes, disbursements, circumstances in which costs may increase, payment arrangements and a refund policy before accepting instructions.&nbsp;It also proposes written agreements for engagements above Rs 50,000, with details of the services, the basis of the fee, billing intervals, client responsibilities, termination rights and dispute resolution.&nbsp;It further calls for invoices to specify the work carried out, the dates, the applicable rates, the court and filing fees, travel costs, taxes and other charges, instead of using general descriptions such as “professional services”.&nbsp;The proposal also seeks to prohibit practices such as demanding blank cheques, refusing receipts and accepting cash without an official receipt.&nbsp;For routine services, it recommends the annual publication of advisory fee ranges for areas such as conveyancing, probate, company incorporation, affidavits, leases, debt recovery, matrimonial and testamentary matteRs The proposed ranges would serve as a reference for clients rather than general fee caps, with the proposal allowing lawyers to charge different fees where the circumstances justify them.&nbsp;It also proposes limited maximum fees for highly standardised routine services such as simple affidavits, standard attestations and prescribed-form documents, with such fees to be reviewed periodically.&nbsp;A key part of the proposal is the creation of a tribunal to deal with disputed legal fees. The proposed tribunal would be chaired by a retired Supreme Court or Court of Appeal Judge and include a senior attorney, a chartered accountant, a consumer affairs representative and a public representative. It would have the power to review disputed fees, reduce excessive charges, order refunds, suspend recovery in appropriate cases and refer possible professional misconduct to the relevant disciplinary authority.&nbsp;The proposal also calls for money held on behalf of clients to be kept separate from lawyers’ operational funds in designated client trust accounts, with annual audits and certification.&nbsp;It further proposes electronic billing for larger firms and, at a later stage, a portal through which clients could obtain quotations, access bills and payment records, verify fees and submit complaints.&nbsp;The organisation has also recommended the establishment of a commission to publish the legal fees code and guideline schedules, monitor the legal services market, investigate patterns of excessive charging, maintain statistics, educate the public and submit annual reports to Parliament.&nbsp;The proposal also includes regulated success fees for certain approved categories of cases and estimated litigation budgets for claims above Rs 5 million.The organisation has stressed that legal fee reform alone would not resolve the wider cost of accessing justice and has proposed complementary measures including continued court digitalisation, the expansion of Legal Aid Commission funding and coverage, the greater encouragement of pro bono legal services, and the modernisation of existing party-and-party costs scales.Overall, the proposal recommends that the Justice Ministry appoint a multi-stakeholder drafting committee, conduct a structured public consultation and introduce the proposed reforms in phases over 24 months, beginning with fee transparency requirements and eventually moving towards the proposed digital fee portal.

Legal fees regulation law mooted 

Railway trade unions will proceed with a two-day token strike tomorrow (17) and on 18 September after talks with the Transport Ministry failed to resolve their demand for the removal of the incumbent Railways General Manager (GM).Railway Joint Trade Union Alliance Co-Convenor Kasun Chamara Jayasekara said yesterday (15) that the unions had decided not to withdraw or alter the planned strike as the Government had yet to reach a firm decision on the future of the GM.The decision follows a meeting held on Monday (14) between the Ministry Secretary and representatives of several railway trade unions to discuss the proposed industrial action.During the meeting, the unions raised concerns over administrative and operational issues within the Department of Railways, as well as disruptions affecting passenger services. They said they had completely lost confidence in the current GM and called for his immediate removal.According to the unions, their action is aimed at rebuilding the Department of Railways, improving operational efficiency and ensuring a better service for passengers.The Ministry Secretary reportedly acknowledged that rebuilding the Department was the genuine objective of the unions. He also said it was inappropriate to issue a letter seeking an explanation from the Secretary of the Railway Station Masters’ Union.However, he said he required additional time to make a final decision on whether the GM should be removed.The unions rejected the request, saying the issue had remained unresolved for nearly two years and that they could not grant the Government any further time.With no agreement reached to suspend or cancel the planned industrial action, the unions confirmed that the two-day token strike would proceed as scheduled tomorrow and on 18 September.

Demand for GM’s removal:  Railway strike imminent as talks fail 

The main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), yesterday (15) called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP) Government to take a decision on Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne over corruption-related allegations and an ongoing investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).&nbsp;Speaking to The Daily Morning, SJB General Secretary and Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that it is totally inappropriate for Dr Wickramaratne to continue holding the post in the face of allegations and complaints made against him. "He is already being investigated by the CIABOC. At the same time, several Opposition MPs have made complaints against him to international organisations. When there are so many allegations against him, particularly those related to corruption and irregularities, he himself has to think about whether it is appropriate for him to continue holding the position. He should stay away at least until the investigations against him are concluded. However, he doesn't seem to be prepared to make such a decision. Therefore, we expect the President and the NPP Government to make a decision on him."The comments came after Opposition MP, Dayasiri Jayasekara lodged written complaints with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights over Dr Wickramaratne’s handling of a privileges matter submitted by Jayasekara. The privileges matter concerned alleged corruption and irregularities in the use of State resources and facilities by Dr Wickramaratne in carrying out his duties.&nbsp;Jayasekara had sought to raise the matter in Parliament on 10 September, but, Dr Wickramaratne said that he needed time to study it and did not allow it to be raised. In his complaints to the three international bodies, Jayasekara alleged that his right to express his views under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act had been violated by Dr Wickramaratne, who is the Head of Parliament. He also argued that Dr Wickramaratne’s decision to examine a complaint directly involving himself raised questions about impartiality and the principles of natural justice.&nbsp;The dispute comes amid an existing CIABOC investigation into a complaint filed against Dr Wickramaratne by the suspended Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, attorney Chaminda Kularatne. The complaint, lodged on 2 February, alleges corrupt activities by Dr Wickramaratne relating to the use of State resources and facilities. The CIABOC, following an initial review of the complaint, decided to proceed with an investigation.Jayasekara has meanwhile called for the immediate resignation of Dr Wickramaratne, claiming that an investigation is currently being conducted against him by the CIABOC. Jayasekara made these remarks while speaking in a television programme on Monday (14).

Speaker under CIABOC cloud:  SJB seeks President, Govt intervention 

<ul><li>Public servants working with kids must be cleared of child-related offences&nbsp;</li></ul> The Government is set to introduce a certification process to ensure that individuals recruited to the public service, particularly those appointed to positions involving direct contact with children, have not been accused of or involved in offences against children.Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the Ministry has taken steps to submit a Cabinet paper on the proposed certification process.Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Minister Paulraj said that under the proposed system, individuals would be required to obtain a certificate from the Police or other relevant authorities before being recruited to public service positions involving access to children.The requirement would also apply to public officers already serving in positions involving direct contact with children.Accordingly, serving officers would be required to renew the certificate at specified service milestones and when receiving salary increments, confirming that they had not been involved in child-related offences during the relevant period.Minister Paulraj said the measure was being introduced to ensure that individuals working closely with children were not persons who had been accused of or involved in offences against children.The proposed certification process is intended to strengthen safeguards for children by ensuring that those recruited or continuing to serve in positions giving them direct access to children are subject to appropriate checks.

 Child safety checks for public servants 

The Supreme Court yesterday (15) ruled that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon and two others had violated the Fundamental Rights (FR) of Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Shani Abeysekara by initiating an investigation based on a complaint concerning the Easter Sunday terror attacks during the last Presidential Election period.The ruling was delivered by Supreme Court Justice Gihan Kulatunga, with the concurrence of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Achala Wengappuli.According to the judgement, former DIG Palitha Siriwardena, who filed the complaint, was ordered to pay Rs 50,000 each in compensation to Seneviratne and Abeysekara.Former Chief Inspector of the CID Induka de Silva, who conducted the investigation into the complaint, was ordered to pay Rs 10,000 each to the two petitioneRsThe Supreme Court further held that the complaint lodged with the CID by Siriwardena was a malicious complaint made with a political motive.It ruled that the decision to commence an investigation based on the complaint had violated the FR of Seneviratne and Abeysekara.The Supreme Court issued the order after considering an FR petition filed by Seneviratne and Abeysekara during the last Presidential Election period, seeking an order preventing their unlawful arrest in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.

 EASTER SUNDAY PROBE: SC finds Deshabandu, two others violated FR

Seat belts will be mandatory from 20 September for all persons travelling in all seats of vehicles operating on expressways, following Parliament’s approval of the relevant order.The Order published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2493/19 dated 17 June, which brings an end to the concessionary period granted for compliance with the requirement, was approved by Parliament.The matter was discussed recently at a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development, chaired by Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake.The requirement was introduced through an amendment to the Motor Traffic (Expressways) Order of 3 August 2011, published under Gazette No. 1717/14. Gazette Notification No. 2455/29, issued on 25 September 2025, made the wearing of seat belts mandatory for all persons travelling in vehicles operating on expressways.The measure was introduced to reduce fatalities caused by road accidents and minimise the severity of injuries sustained in such accidents.A three-month concessionary period was initially granted from the date of publication of the 2025 Gazette to allow vehicle owners to install seat belts in seats that had not been fitted with them by the vehicle manufacturer. The concessionary period ended on 25 December 2025.However, following public requests for additional time to install seat belts, the period was subsequently extended from 20 March to 19 June.Meanwhile, Parliament has also approved Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2489/22 dated 19 May concerning minimum standards and specifications for the technical condition of vehicles used for passenger transport services.The measures cover vehicles regulated by the National Transport Commission, Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities and the Transport Board, including passenger, school and office transport services and vehicles used for special tours operated on a hired basis.The committee noted that ensuring roadworthiness has become increasingly important with the rising number of motor vehicles and growing concerns over road safety and environmental protection.Studies on road accidents have shown that serious crashes are caused not only by driver errors but also by mechanical defects and poor vehicle maintenance.Minister Rathnayake requested Parliamentarians to raise awareness among vehicle owners and the public regarding the new requirements and the importance of maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition.

 EXPRESSWAY SAFETY: Seat belts mandatory from 20 Sept

Former Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera recorded a statement with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) yesterday (15) in connection with the ongoing investigation into the controversial MiG fighter aircraft deal.&nbsp;Perera appeared before the FCID pursuant to a summons issued as part of the investigation. Perera was summoned to provide information regarding the procurement and financial arrangements surrounding the purchase of MiG fighter aircraft by Sri Lanka and the controversial transaction.Meanwhile, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also provided a statement to the FCID in connection with the same investigation. Rajapaksa arrived at the FCID on 11 September after being summoned to provide information regarding the MiG fighter jet purchase transaction. He remained at the FCID for several hours while providing his statement to investigators.

MiG deal case: Ex-Air Force Chief records FCID statement 

<ul><li>Collective progress of 15 proposals at stake&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul> The Election Commission (EC) has called for fresh Cabinet approval for a series of election reforms, warning of the need to streamline the process as more than 15 proposals are currently progressing through separate channels.&nbsp;Speaking to The Daily Morning, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that Cabinet approval had been granted for some of the proposed election reforms under previous Governments. "Very recently, we came to know that the current Government should make a policy decision to continue electoral reforms. Therefore, we informed the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of the need to obtain the necessary Cabinet approval so that the reforms could be taken forward."He further said: “The discontinuation of applying ink on the finger when casting votes was one of the proposals that we had submitted. Recently, that was approved separately by the Cabinet under the present Government. Other proposals include establishing special polling stations, introducing advance voting and providing facilities for overseas voting. These are moving forward separately. That is why we requested that they be approved as a package."His comments come amid continued calls for long-pending changes to Sri Lanka’s election laws. Rathnayake had previously said that it is unfortunate that both the Government and the Opposition had not taken steps to discuss the reforms in Parliament despite repeated efforts by the EC to move the process forward.

Electoral reforms: EC seeks fresh Cabinet approval 

The Government Analyst’s (GA) Department has received a range of modern forensic testing equipment aimed at further strengthening its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing capacity and expediting the analysis of biological evidence. The equipment, provided with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme, was officially handed over yesterday (15) at the premises of the Department in Battaramulla. The equipment includes a Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine, a PCR system and Crime Lite serology kits, among other specialised forensic testing instruments. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the scientific basis of the judicial process by enabling the accurate identification and analysis of biological evidence. Authorities expect the enhanced capacity to improve the accuracy and reliability of forensic DNA analysis and help reduce delays in court proceedings.&nbsp;A special discussion was also held yesterday on the progress of issuing GA’s reports and the introduction of modern testing facilities at the Department. Speaking at the meeting, Justice Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara said that steps had been taken to ensure that forensic reports relating to drug cases are issued within a period of less than three months. He said that measures are also being taken to fill existing staff vacancies at the Department and accelerate testing procedures through the provision of modern equipment and the chemicals required for forensic examinations.

Legal fees regulation law mooted

Demand for GM’s removal: Railway strike imminent as talks fail

Demand for GM’s removal: Rail ...

Speaker under CIABOC cloud: SJB seeks President, Govt intervention

Speaker under CIABOC cloud: S ...

Child safety checks for public servants

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EASTER SUNDAY PROBE: SC finds Deshabandu, two others violated FR

EASTER SUNDAY PROBE: SC finds ...

EXPRESSWAY SAFETY: Seat belts mandatory from 20 Sept

EXPRESSWAY SAFETY: Seat belts ...

MiG deal case: Ex-Air Force Chief records FCID statement

MiG deal case: Ex-Air Force Ch ...

Electoral reforms: EC seeks fresh Cabinet approval

Electoral reforms: EC seeks fr ...

GA gets modern forensic testing equipment

GA gets modern forensic testin ...

Demand for GM’s removal: Railway strike imminent as talks fail

Demand for GM’s removal: Rail ...

Speaker under CIABOC cloud: SJB seeks President, Govt intervention

Speaker under CIABOC cloud: S ...

Child safety checks for public servants

Child safety checks for publi ...

EASTER SUNDAY PROBE: SC finds Deshabandu, two others violated FR

EASTER SUNDAY PROBE: SC finds ...

EXPRESSWAY SAFETY: Seat belts mandatory from 20 Sept

EXPRESSWAY SAFETY: Seat belts ...

MiG deal case: Ex-Air Force Chief records FCID statement

MiG deal case: Ex-Air Force Ch ...

Electoral reforms: EC seeks fresh Cabinet approval

Electoral reforms: EC seeks fr ...

GA gets modern forensic testing equipment

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MiG deal case: Ex-Air Force Chief records FCID statement

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