Legal Aid Commission expanded

Sarath MALALASEKERA

MATUGAMA: The Legal Aid Commission which had only nine legal Aid Centres in 2004 now has 35 such centres to serve the public, Justice Minister Dilan Perera said addressing judges and lawyers at the opening ceremony of the 35th Legal Aid Centre (LAC) in Matugama recently.

Minister Dilan Perera emphasised that the Legal Aid Commission's initiative to open centres in remote Magistrate Court Zones like Mahiyangana and Matugama areas has brought access to justice to the poor in these areas.

The Minister also commended the activities of the Legal Aid Commission for their performances in helping the underprivileged litigants in the country to obtain legal assistance.

Legal Aid Commission Chairman S. S. Wijeratne addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony thanked the Government for substantially increasing allocations for this year and the undertaking given to provide balanced allocations.

The Legal Aid Commission sought funds to open 50 multi-purpose legal Aid Centres but has received only less than half of allocation sought from the Justice Ministry.

The LAC whose members function purely on a voluntary basis should be provided with sufficient funds to accomplish its target by December 31, 2007, the LAC Chairman said.

"Access to justice" is a fundamental right and the State's responsibility under a Democratic Government, LAC Chairman Wijeratne added.

Matugama District Judge T.D. Gunasekera and LAC Director General Justice Hector S. Yapa also spoke.