The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to establish an independent Public Prosecutor’s Office aimed at reducing delays and enhancing transparency in Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system.
The initiative, included in the government’s current election manifesto, proposes creating a prosecutorial body separate from the Attorney General’s Department, with provincial sub-offices. The move is intended to improve public trust and expedite the handling of criminal cases.
A technical specialist committee chaired by Supreme Court Judge and President’s Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda has been appointed to study the legal framework needed for the new office. The committee will also recommend any necessary amendments to existing laws.
The proposal aligns with recommendations made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in September 2024, which called for the urgent establishment of an independent prosecutorial authority in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)