The Ministry of Justice has announced that following the emergency situation at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6, 2026, the premises have been severely damaged and designated a crime scene, making it unsuitable to house inmates.

Issuing a statement, the ministry said that to facilitate investigations, ensure inmate safety, and begin rehabilitation work at the facility once inquiries are complete, the majority of prisoners have been temporarily transferred to other prison facilities.

The ministry further noted that overcrowding in existing prisons and concerns for inmate welfare have created the need to accommodate some prisoners in additional suitable premises.

Accordingly, until rehabilitation of Negombo Prison is completed, regulations have been issued to temporarily establish the Mahara and Old Bogambara premises as prisons under the functions of the Prisons Ordinance, the ministry added. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Justice has urged the public to immediately report any instances where Inquirers into Sudden Deaths (ISDs) demand bribes or other undue benefits in connection with their official duties.

The Ministry announced that it has introduced dedicated channels for complaints and information. 

Members of the public may report such incidents via WhatsApp on 0702724637 or by contacting the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) hotline on 1954.

The ministry said that ISDs are appointed under Section 108 of the Criminal Procedure Code to assist the judicial process and are required to provide their services at any time when necessary. 

The Ministry added that it is illegal to offer or accept money, gifts, or any other benefits in exchange for these services.

The Ministry further said it has received continuous complaints alleging that some ISDs exploit the emotional vulnerability of bereaved families by soliciting money and other favors as bribes. 

The Justice Ministry urged the public to report such incidents promptly to the relevant authorities. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Justice has announced that the initiative aimed at the speedy disposal of productions stored in court premises has yielded significant results, generating Rs. 952,896,911.74 in 2025 alone. 

According to the ministry, when combined with other judicial revenue sources, including copying fees, notary fees, fines, stamp duties, and bail bond confiscations, the total income generated through the courts amounted to Rs. 6,574,829,926.91.

For decades, Magistrates’ Courts and High Courts across Sri Lanka were burdened with vast quantities of seized items handed over by police and government authorities. 

These ranged from vehicles, timber, sand, and agricultural tools to firearms, explosives, and narcotics. Their accumulation consumed valuable space, created logistical and security challenges, and led to economic losses as imported vehicles deteriorated unused within the court premises.

The Justice Ministry stated that a turning point came with the appointment of Justice P. Padman Surasena as Chief Justice, under whose leadership the Judicial Service Commission launched this unprecedented disposal programme. 

The project was carried out in close collaboration with the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative introduced by the President, and was supported by judges, judicial officers, ministry officials, police, the tri-forces, and other stakeholders.

Stating that the results have been transformative, the Justice Ministry said court premises once cluttered with abandoned vehicles, timber logs, and sand piles have been cleared and revitalized, with many sites now featuring landscaped gardens and flowerbeds.

Beyond aesthetics, the initiative has reinforced public confidence in the justice system, improved efficiency, and demonstrated environmental stewardship, it added. 

The following is the revenue yielded through the initiative:

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Senior officials of the World Bank and the StAR institution, which operates under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, have expressed agreement to provide the necessary technical and expert assistance for the process of re‑assigning assets existing in foreign countries that are considered to have been earned through crime. 

A special discussion on this matter was held last afternoon (02) at the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, under the patronage of Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara.

The World Bank and the StAR institution under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have expressed agreement to provide the necessary support to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, the Police Division for the Recovery of Proceeds of Crime, the Attorney General’s Department, the Police Department, and the Financial Intelligence Unit, for the process of re‑assigning assets produced by crime.

Senior Economic Specialist of the StAR Initiative, Laura Pop, Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinasena, Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake, World Bank Specialist on Governance in Sri Lanka Till Hartmann, StAR Initiative Advisor Dmytro Kotlyar, StAR Initiative Specialist Karen Greenaway, and senior officials of the Ministry of Justice participated in this discussion. (Newswire)

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Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, held a special discussion this morning with Prison Commissioners and all prison superintendents across the country at the Ministry of Justice.

The meeting focused on pressing issues facing the prison system, including overcrowding, particularly at Kalutara and Batticaloa prisons, the need to improve facilities at alternative locations, and the process of granting pardons to inmates. The spread of misinformation on social media regarding prisons and the promotion of inmate-produced goods were also key topics of concern.

Secretary to the Ministry, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa, Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Nishan Dhanasinghe, senior officials of the Ministry and the Department of Prisons, and all prison superintendents participated in the discussion. (Newswire)

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The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration has been informed that there are a total of  1,131,818 pending cases in Sri Lankan courts. 

According to a Parliament statement, the Committee was informed that the number of pending cases in the Supreme Court stands at 5,785, cases in the Court of Appeal at 4,572, and cases in the High Court’s hearing criminal cases at 6,286.

Cases in the Commercial High Court stand at 6,146, cases in the Special Three-Judge High Court at 3, cases in the High Court at 27,324, cases in the District Courts at 262,665, and cases in the Juvenile Magistrate’s Court at 1,260.

Officials present at a meeting with the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration said that due to the high number of pending cases within the judicial system, there were significant delays in the process of delivering justice.

Officials representing the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute stated that a program to streamline the judicial process is currently in operation, and in this regard, a training program for judges is also being implemented.

This discussion took place during the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration of the Tenth Parliament, Chaired by Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara at the Parliament yesterday (27 Feb).

Members of Parliament participating in the meeting pointed out that there are significant delays in the functioning of the Attorney General’s Department. 

Officials present at the meeting highlighted that only 70 Senior State Counsels approximately are assigned to the Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Department to handle criminal cases received from police divisions across the entire country. Furthermore, they emphasized that a Senior State Counsel is required to have several years of experience and expertise in handling assigned cases, with seniority being a key determining factor.

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara emphasized that discussions on the workload and delays of the Attorney General’s Department have been ongoing for some time. He further stated that the number of legal officials available in the Department is insufficient in comparison to the volume of pending cases. 

Furthermore, he mentioned that approximately 6 Additional Solicitors General with nearly 30 years of experience are expected to leave the Department within this year. The Minister emphasized that the government is determined to take all necessary measures to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the Attorney General’s Department.

This meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Integration, Muneer Mulaffer, Members of the Committee, Members of Parliament and officials representing the Ministry of Justice and National Integration. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed two secretaries to the Ministries of Justice and National Integration, and Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinasena has been appointed the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration.

Malarmathi Gangadaran has been appointed the Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment.

The appointment letters were handed over by President’s Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms has made significant progress in legal reforms, with the highest number of reforms being implemented over the past two years.

Secretary to the Ministry M. N. Ranasinghe highlighted that since 2022, 59 legal reforms have been passed in Parliament, with an additional 07 drafts and 44 legal amendments slated for future approval.

Addressing the media at the Presidential Media Centre on Monday (June 17), he emphasized the ministry’s pivotal role in drafting laws across various ministries. 

• Significant progress in legal reforms : 

A total of 59 legal reforms have been passed in Parliament. Among them, 29 were passed in 2022, 17 in 2023, and 13 so far in 2024. Additionally, seven more drafts are set to be adopted by Parliament soon. It is also important to note that work on 44 other crucial legal amendments is nearly complete. 

The Department of Legal Draftsman prepared 273 draft laws in 2022 and 299 in 2023, in all three languages, for other ministries.

• Efficient judicial system : 

Digitization of the judicial system has been identified as a major solution in resolving delays in the legal system. Accordingly, digitization and a large number of reforms have already been carried out in the ministry as well as in the judicial sector.

After 42 years, the amendment of the Constitution increased the number of Supreme Court judges by 14. Despite the difficult economic situation, 76 judicial officers were recruited on two occasions in the last two years. Additionally, 34 individuals were promoted to High Court Judges on two occasions. This allowed for the increase in the number of courts and the introduction of new courts.

During this period, the number of courtrooms in the Supreme Court increased from 3 to 5, and the number of courtrooms in the Court of Appeal increased from 5 to 10. It should also be mentioned that digitization has been introduced in the Supreme Court, providing great convenience to citizens, including lawyers.

• Resolving commercial disputes : 

Getting to the top of the Ease of Doing Business Index is crucial for attracting foreign investments. Four Commercial High Courts have been established in the Western Province to resolve commercial disputes, and all arrangements have been made to establish more Commercial High Courts. 

Additionally, to address the new investment landscape created by the port city project, necessary legal reforms are underway to establish an investment court to quickly resolve investor disputes.

An Enforcing Contract Task Force is also being implemented to build a favourable investment environment.

In 2022, the Ministry introduced a significant change to the judicial structure by establishing small claims courts, where financial disputes up to Rs. 2 million can be referred. Since these courts follow streamlined procedures, financial disputes can be resolved very quickly.

Currently, separate Small Claims Courts are functioning in Colombo, Kandy, and Matale. In the future, the establishment of these small claims courts in other areas will be facilitated. Until then, this judicial procedure will be implemented in the district courts.

• Judicial Zoning Committee recommendations: 

The committee has proposed many new courts to facilitate access to justice for rural people. 

Accordingly, a tourism court was established in the Morawewa area, and the other recommendations of the committee’s report will be implemented in the future. 

Tourist courts and magistrate courts were promoted in Medavachchiya, Kahtagasdigiliya, Nochchiyagama, Kalavanchikudi, Narammala and Kalawana. Additionally, several new courts were established over the past two years.

Moreover, the process of settling disputes outside of court has been strengthened. It is noteworthy that Sri Lanka’s dispute settlement rate is almost 70%, which has received international recognition.

• Proposed Bills:

Bills such as the Anti-Corruption Bill and the Hydrology Bill have been introduced. 

As per the amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, possession of more than 5 grams of ‘ICE’ drug carries severe penalties, including death or life imprisonment.

Furthermore, the recently enacted Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill mandates that every candidate contesting elections must report their expenditures within 21 days of the release of election results, marking a significant positive development. (Newswire)

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Gazette notifications have been issued on the Anti-Corruption Act and the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act. 

The Gazettes were  issued by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe this week.

The Extraordinary Gazette notification on the Anti-Corruption Act states it will take effect from September 15, 2023. 

The Gazette on the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act will also be effective from September 15, 2023. (NewsWire)

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