Streamlining judicial system under way
 

Matale District Correspondent and Galewela Group Correspondent

The potentiality of judicial system is hindered due to the lack of facilities. This has caused unnecessary delay in the process of discharging better judicial service to the people.

A programme of actions to improve the infrastructure facilities and streamline the judicial system has been launched by the Government, said Justice and Judicial Reforms Minister W.D.J. Senevirathne.

He was speaking at the opening of new circuit court buildings at Paldeniya and Naula costing Rs. 5.7 millions. Provincial Councils and Local Governments Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Central Provincial Health Minister Champika Wijerathne, Justice and Judicial Reforms Ministry Secretary Sudath Gamlath, Attorney K.R.B. Elikewela and many public officers associated with the judicial services were present on this occasion.

The Minister added: no attention was paid to improve the buildings and facilities in the courts, in the recent past. The courts proceedings have to be conducted in very old buildings. Due to the rain and other problems the procedures are being postponed very often. The people are being greatly inconvenienced owing to this situation.

Even some buildings used for judicial services in Colombo are in dilapidated condition. There is no point in upgrading the courts without improving the facilities.

We have taken short-term measures to remedy this situation by bringing special provisions to refer an important case to the supreme court directly. According to the old system a similar case would take about 10 years to go to the High Court passing through the lower courts.

The Chief Justice has been empowered to take a criminal case direct to the supreme court under the new provisions.

Steps would be taken to introduce this system to the appeal court also in the near future. A Bill has to be approved with 2/3 majority in the Parliament to bring about this change."