Sri Lanka seeks public opinion to improve legal trials

June 02, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government is currently seeking public support to reform the civil and criminal procedures in the island in a bid to avoid long delays in pending legal cases. During this month, interested parties are able to express their views particularly on reducing delay in trials and amendments for the civil and criminal procedure code. The government has already appointed two separate committees to look into the amendments of civil procedure code and criminal procedure code.

Special interest has drawn for extending the time period of Police custody, direct indictment by attorney general on certain grave crimes and amending the summery procedure. “Delays in land, property and marital cases are also a barrier for economic development,” Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa said. “Bringing in justice will be a progress for investment and commercial environment of the country.

” The government has already decided to establish a separate authority to protect witnesses and victims by introducing a new law for criminal victims. The cabinet has also approved to amend the power of attorney ordinance and notaries’ ordinance since there is an alarming increase in the incidence of land fraud. Justice Ministry said the amendments to the notaries’ ordinance are already being drafted.