<h3> </h3><ul><li>Constitutional amendments to expand Judiciary and boost court efficiency</li><li>Govt cites 1.1 m case backlog; plans more Appeal and High Court judges</li><li>No referendum required for reforms, says Cabinet Spokesperson</li><li>Legal groups question move as vacancies in Superior Courts remain unfilled</li></ul> The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to extend the retirement age of judges serving in all courts, including the Supreme Court (SC) and the Court of Appeal (CA), as part of a broader package of judicial reforms aimed at addressing a backlog of more than 1.1 million cases.Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the proposal was approved at Monday's (27) Cabinet meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Nanayakkara said retaining experienced judges would help expedite the disposal of pending cases while wider reforms are implemented across the justice sector.He said the extension of the retirement age was only one element of a comprehensive programme to improve court efficiency, with parallel reforms planned for the Government Analyst's Department, the Attorney General's Department, court administration and staffing."We promised that people should not have to spend months and years waiting in courts. The justice system must become efficient like other systems," he said.Nanayakkara noted that Sri Lanka currently has around 20 judges per one million people, compared with 40 to 60 or more in many developed countries. He attributed the case backlog partly to the failure to increase the number of judges through proper planning over the past 10 to 15 years.He said the proposed amendments to the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978, would apply to judges at all levels, including the SC, the CA, High Courts (HCs), district courts and magistrates' courts. Extending the retirement age would allow experienced judges to continue serving, contributing to the development of legal principles and improving the efficiency of the Judiciary.Nanayakkara added that similar proposals had been discussed for several years, including by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and Parliamentarian and attorney Rauff Hakeem, while concerns raised by members of the Judiciary would also be taken into consideration.Responding to criticism that the move could undermine judicial independence, he said the reforms were not aimed at any individual or court but would apply across the Judiciary.As part of the reform package, the Cabinet also approved the drafting of amendments to the Constitution and the Judicature Act to increase the number of judges and strengthen the administration of the courts.The Government said additional CA judges are needed to enable the Court's jurisdiction to be exercised on a regional basis under Article 146 of the Constitution, while more HC judges are required to reduce delays in criminal cases before Provincial HCs and civil appeals before Civil Appellate HCs.The proposed increase in the retirement age is also intended to ensure experienced judges remain in service as the number of courts expands and the CA adopts a regional structure.Accordingly, the Cabinet approved a proposal by Nanayakkara to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare the necessary constitutional and legislative amendments, with the stated objective of strengthening judicial independence while improving the efficiency and orderly administration of the courts.Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said there would be no requirement to hold a referendum to implement the proposed increase in the retirement age of judges.Addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing yesterday, he said the Constitution does not require a referendum for the proposed amendments.He explained that the constitutional amendment would also empower Parliament to increase the retirement age of judges, expand the number of courts and improve the efficiency of the judicial system."The SC will only be consulted on whether the constitutional amendment is in line with the Constitution and on the procedure that should be followed. According to the normal process, these steps are being taken to implement the principles mentioned in the Government's policy statement," he said.Highlighting the scale of the backlog, Dr Jayatissa said there are 1,403 pending cases in the Kurunegala HC, 1,453 in Matara, 1,500 in Negombo and 3,435 in Colombo, adding that similar backlogs exist in HCs across the country.He said the Government expects to fill existing judicial vacancies and establish several new HCs outside Colombo to ease the pressure on the court system.The Government had previously indicated that it would seek to raise the retirement age of CA judges from 63 to 65 years and that of SC judges from 65 to 67 years through a constitutional amendment.However, the proposal has drawn criticism from several legal groups, with lawyers' associations arguing that the Government should first fill the existing vacancies in the Superior Courts. They claim there are currently eight vacancies in the SC and the CA, which have remained unfilled for an extended period.

Cabinet clears judges' retirement age extension

<ul><li>Court bars foreign travel; CIABOC ordered to submit probe progress in December</li></ul> Attorney-at-law Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of President’s Counsel and former Justice Minister Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, former SJB Horana electorate organiser Charith Abeysinghe, and former Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited Executive Director Aruna Sri Warushahennadige were yesterday (28) granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with an alleged Rs 120 million bribery case.Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered each suspect to be released on a cash bail of Rs 100,000 and two personal bails of Rs one million each.The Magistrate further directed that the personal sureties provide certificates proving that they possess income or assets equivalent to the value of the bail. The suspects were also barred from travelling overseas and ordered to surrender their passports to Court.The Court directed the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to submit a progress report on the investigation on 8 December.Meanwhile, Abeysinghe has been taken back into prison custody after failing to fulfil the bail conditions imposed by the Court. Following the bail order, Rajapakshe and the other suspect were released after completing the required bail conditions. However, Abeysinghe was unable to satisfy the bail requirements and was subsequently taken back to prison by prison officials.The three suspects were initially arrested and produced before Court by CIABOC over allegations that they accepted a Rs 120 million bribe from the wife of alleged drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias Harak Kata, in exchange for facilitating his removal from Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detention under a detention order (DO) and arranging his transfer to a secure prison.The alleged incident relates to events in March 2023, following Wickramaratne’s arrest in Madagascar and detention in Sri Lanka under CID-issued DOs.According to CIABOC, Rajapakshe, Abeysinghe, and Warushahennadige had travelled to Dubai on the same flight, where they allegedly met Wickramaratne’s wife Madushika Maduwanthi and an associate known as Midigama Ruwan.Investigators alleged that the suspects initially demanded Rs 500 million, claiming they could influence official procedures to prevent Wickramaratne from being killed while in custody, remove his DOs, arrange his transfer from Boossa High-Security Prison, and facilitate his release from ongoing investigations.The alleged demand was later reduced to Rs 200 million, of which Rs 120 million was allegedly paid in two instalments, Rs 100 million initially and a further Rs 20 million later. CIABOC informed the Court the money was allegedly transferred to Sri Lanka through the “Undiyal” system.

Rs 120 m bribery case: Rakitha, two others granted bail 

&nbsp;<ul><li>Perahera to proceed with 1,500 cops, STF presence&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>Several members of Kavadi dance groups participating in the annual Esala (July) Perahera of the Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya were arrested yesterday morning (28) for allegedly possessing narcotics during a special Police operation.Around 1,500 security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the procession, while all Kavadi groups taking part in the event are being subjected to inspections.The heightened security measures follow tensions between two organised crime figures over the participation of Kavadi groups in the perahera, which recently escalated into a shooting targeting a house near the Devalaya.Amid the concerns, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya had recommended to the Matara District Secretary on 26 July that the participation of Kavadi groups be temporarily suspended this year.However, a high-level meeting held on Monday (27) at the Matara District Secretariat, attended by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, the Public Security Ministry Secretary, the IGP, and other senior officials, decided to allow Kavadi groups that had participated in previous years to take part in this year’s procession.Accordingly, groups that participated in last year’s (2025) perahera were permitted to join this year’s event. The procession, including the Kavadi performances, proceeded yesterday under strict Police supervision.Minister Wijepala said that, in addition to the Police, the Special Task Force (STF) had also been deployed as part of the security arrangements.Meanwhile, the security situation surrounding the perahera has drawn political reactions. Former UNP MP Saman Ratnapriya claimed&nbsp; the Government lacked a proper strategy to ensure public security.Responding to the criticism, NPP MP Chandana Sooriyarachchi said that while a failure to properly assess and act on intelligence information could be considered a lapse, such decisions fell under the responsibility of the Police. He added that portraying the issue as a Government failure reflected the agendas of certain groups.Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said organised crime groups should not be allowed to influence or control the country’s cultural festivals.

Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya: Some Kavadi dancers nabbed for drug possession 

The Government has reached a final agreement with the Buddhist clergy on the proposed amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance (Vihara Devalagam Act), and the reforms are expected to be finalised within this year, Deputy Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake said.Speaking to The Daily Morning on the progress of the amendments, he said that discussions between the relevant parties had now reached their final stage following months of consultations. "The amendments to the Act have been under discussion for the past 20 to 30 years. This is not a process that began yesterday. We believe that the work gathered momentum over the past year and a half, and today we can confidently say that it has reached its final stage," he said.&nbsp;He explained that the process involved extensive consultations between the Buddhist clergy and the Legal Draftsman's Department before a consensus was reached. "On one side are the bhikkhus, and on the other is the Department. Following discussions between the two parties, they have now reached a final agreement. Therefore, we hope to complete these amendments within this year," he added. His remarks come after the Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Ministry earlier acknowledged that the amendment process had been delayed due to the lengthy approval procedure involving several institutions, but maintained that the delays were not deliberate. Earlier, speaking to The Daily Morning, Dissanayake explained that amendments to the Ordinance had to pass through several stages involving the Attorney General's Department, the Legal Draftsman's Department, and the Mahanayakas (Chief Prelates) of the three Buddhist Sects.

Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance: Govt, clergy agree on amendments  

<ul><li>March 12 Movement writes to CC Chair&nbsp;</li></ul> The March 12 Movement has urged Speaker of Parliament and Constitutional Council (CC) Chairperson, Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, to revise the procedure used to appoint members to independent commissions, claiming that the current application process discourages qualified candidates and falls short of the transparency expected in such appointments.In a letter dated Monday (27), addressed to the Speaker, the civic organisation's Convenor Rohana Hettiarachchi expressed concern over the procedure adopted for recruiting new members to several commissions and called for changes to the application process and the application form itself. He noted that although appointments had already been made to several commissions, the CC had decided to call for fresh applications for some others. He said that the purpose of the letter was to express its "serious concern" that the procedure had departed from the inclusive approach that should accompany a citizen-centred exercise. "Adopting the most transparent and accountable approach possible is not something that anyone who expects good governance can easily overlook," the letter stated.&nbsp;The first concern raised by the Movement relates to the change in the method of calling for applications. Hettiarachchi noted that when the CC was first established, individuals did not apply for commission memberships on their own. Instead, he said that suitable candidates were nominated by recognised organisations or institutions with their consent.&nbsp;"The present requirement for individuals to submit their own applications is not an effective approach. A self-application process allows anyone who meets the minimum qualifications to apply, even though commission members should possess far more than basic eligibility." He further observed that many accomplished professionals, academics, retired public administrators and social activists are, for the most part, reluctant to nominate themselves for such positions.&nbsp;"We therefore urge the CC to restore the previous nomination-based system, allowing recognised external organisations to recommend candidates together with a formal letter confirming the nominee's willingness to serve. Reinstating this procedure would demonstrate the CC's commitment to strengthening governance." Its second concern relates to the complexity of the application form.&nbsp;Acknowledging that the current form requests important information, Hettiarachchi said that a simpler and more user-friendly format should be introduced, particularly because only a limited number of applicants are shortlisted at the initial stage. "The application form should specifically ask candidates to demonstrate how they have contributed to achieving meaningful social change through their professional or practical work. If external organisations are once again allowed to nominate candidates, they would naturally put forward individuals with proven records of public service and administrative leadership."

Call to reform independent commission selection process 

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) ruled out immediate water supply restrictions despite the prevailing El Niño-related climate conditions affecting the country, saying any such measures would depend on future developments.NWSDB Chairperson Chandana Bandara said the Board would continue operating at its maximum water production capacity, as neither the Irrigation Department nor the Mahaweli Authority, which manage the country’s main reservoirs supplying drinking water, has imposed any restrictions on water extraction so far.He said the NWSDB would consider introducing water supply restrictions only if reservoir levels decline significantly in the future, forcing the Irrigation Department or the Mahaweli Authority to limit water withdrawals.“Any decision on restrictions will be taken based on the prevailing conditions at that time,” Bandara said.Meanwhile, he said the NWSDB had already begun making special preparations to deal with the impact of the current climate situation, including improving existing tube well systems to enhance groundwater extraction capacity.Bandara urged the public to use water responsibly, avoid unnecessary wastage, and restrict consumption to essential needs until the situation improves.According to forecasts issued by the Meteorology Department, dry weather conditions have already affected the Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Hambantota, and Monaragala Districts.Bandara said rainfall is expected to return after September, but warned that the effects of the prevailing conditions could be felt more severely during January, February, March, and April next year.The Meteorology Department has attributed the current weather patterns to the developing El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to influence rainfall patterns in the coming months.

NWSDB on El Niño: No immediate water supply restrictions 

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the introduction of a legal framework to regulate virtual assets and virtual asset service providers in Sri Lanka, amid concerns over the risks posed by unregulated digital asset transactions.At present, Sri Lankan users can access and trade virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, through offshore exchanges and peer-to-peer transactions conducted via informal online platforms.The Government said these digital assets, which can be electronically traded or transferred and are used for payment and investment purposes, are currently operating outside Sri Lanka’s regulatory framework. As a result, virtual asset service providers are able to function without registration requirements, compliance obligations, reporting standards, or regulatory supervision.Highlighting the potential risks of financial crimes within the country’s financial system, the Government said there is a need to establish a regulatory framework and a dedicated regulatory authority to oversee virtual assets and virtual asset service providers.Under the policy direction of the National Coordinating Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism, a subcommittee headed by the Deputy Digital Economy Minister and comprising relevant officials was appointed to identify a suitable regulatory framework and implementation plan for the sector.The subcommittee recommended designating the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the regulatory authority for virtual assets and virtual asset service providers, with supervision coordinated through a structure involving the Central Bank, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Inland Revenue Department.Taking these recommendations into consideration, the Cabinet approved a proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Digital Economy Minister, to introduce the necessary legal provisions to regulate virtual assets and virtual asset service providers in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet nod for virtual asset regulation

<ul><li>Prisons Dept. unaware of any missing inmates&nbsp;</li></ul> The Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) has requested the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) to investigate the alleged disappearance of three inmates who were reportedly being held at the Negombo Prison before unrest at the Facility earlier this month (July), claiming that their whereabouts remain unknown. In a letter addressed to the OMP, the Committee's Executive Director, attorney Senaka Perera said that the three prisoners were in State custody before the unrest on 5 and 6 July and that 23 days had passed without their families or lawyers receiving any official information about where they are being held or whether they are alive. He alleged that the circumstances amount to a possible enforced disappearance under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Act, No. 5 of 2018.&nbsp;"Authorities have a legal obligation to disclose the whereabouts of detainees and maintain proper records on transfers, deaths and places of detention." The Committee has asked the OMP to obtain details of the officers who authorised the prisoners' detention and any subsequent transfers, the dates and locations of those transfers, their current place of detention, their health condition, and whether any of them had died. It has also requested information on when family members and lawyers would be allowed to meet the inmates and called for an independent investigation into the allegations.According to the letter, the three missing inmates have been identified as Nishan Lakmal, Rajendra Amalan Indika and Venezuelan national Walquer Florencio Martinez Nuñez. The Committee stated that repeated attempts by relatives and lawyers to trace them through prisons and other institutions had failed, despite inquiries made after the Prison unrest. However, when contacted by The Daily Morning, Prisons Commissioner and Spokesperson, A C Gajanayake said that he is not aware of any disappearance. "I’m not aware of any disappearance. If there is any such incident, the Superintendent of the Prison informs us when submitting reports. However, there has been no such report. We’ve been informed of the number of prisoners who died, the number transferred to other prisons, and the number who are still at the Negombo Prison, but nothing like this."

OMP urged to probe three ‘missing’ in Negombo  

SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri was yesterday (28) sentenced to one-and-a-half years’ imprisonment by the Badulla High Court after being found guilty of wrongful restraint, assault, causing injuries, and issuing death threats to two Police officers in 2019.The Court had earlier found Wijesiri and his driver Bandula Rathnayake guilty of four charges, while an officer attached to the Ministerial Security Division (MSD), Rasika Karunathilaka, was found guilty of three charges in connection with the incident.However, the Court was informed during proceedings that Rathnayake had passed away.The case stemmed from an incident on or around 10 February 2019, when Wijesiri and a group travelling in several sports utility vehicles allegedly became involved in an altercation near the Bandarawela Town roundabout after a Police jeep overtook their vehicle.The prosecution told Court that Wijesiri and the group had obstructed the path of the Police jeep, threatened the officers inside with death, and assaulted them, causing bodily injuries.The charges against the accused included wrongful restraint, assault, causing hurt, and criminal intimidation.The case had been filed against Wijesiri, his driver Rathnayake, and MSD officer Karunathilaka following investigations into the alleged attack on the two Police officers.

Cabinet clears judges' retirement age extension

Rs 120 m bribery case: Rakitha, two others granted bail

Rs 120 m bribery case: Rakitha ...

Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya: Some Kavadi dancers ...

Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vi ...

Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance: Govt, clergy agree on amendments

Buddhist Temporalities Ordinan ...

Call to reform independent commission selection process

Call to reform independent com ...

NWSDB on El Niño: No immediate water supply restrictions

NWSDB on El Niño: No immediate ...

Cabinet nod for virtual asset regulation

Cabinet nod for virtual asset ...

OMP urged to probe three ‘missing’ in Negombo

OMP urged to probe three ‘miss ...

Chaminda Wijesiri jailed for 18 months over assault

Chaminda Wijesiri jailed for 1 ...

Rs 120 m bribery case: Rakitha, two others granted bail

Rs 120 m bribery case: Rakitha ...

Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya: Some Kavadi dancers ...

Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vi ...

Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance: Govt, clergy agree on amendments

Buddhist Temporalities Ordinan ...

Call to reform independent commission selection process

Call to reform independent com ...

NWSDB on El Niño: No immediate water supply restrictions

NWSDB on El Niño: No immediate ...

Cabinet nod for virtual asset regulation

Cabinet nod for virtual asset ...

OMP urged to probe three ‘missing’ in Negombo

OMP urged to probe three ‘miss ...

Chaminda Wijesiri jailed for 18 months over assault

Chaminda Wijesiri jailed for 1 ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Rs 120 m bribery case: Rakitha, two others granted bail

Rs 120 m bribery case: Rakitha ...

Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya: Some Kavadi dancers ...

Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vi ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance: Govt, clergy agree on amendments

Buddhist Temporalities Ordinan ...

Call to reform independent commission selection process

Call to reform independent com ...

NWSDB on El Niño: No immediate water supply restrictions

NWSDB on El Niño: No immediate ...

Cabinet nod for virtual asset regulation

Cabinet nod for virtual asset ...