October 16, Colombo (LNW): Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has emphasised that future initiatives undertaken by his ministry must prioritise public access to justice rather than catering primarily to the convenience of legal professionals.
Speaking at the official opening of the new Puttalam Court Complex yesterday (October 15), the Minister made it clear that infrastructure projects within the justice sector should be designed with ordinary citizens in mind. The new court facility, constructed at a cost of Rs. 202 million, is part of a broader government effort to improve judicial services across the island.
“I say this as a fellow member of the legal profession—our focus cannot be solely on what makes things easier for lawyers,” Nanayakkara said during his address. “The true measure of our justice system lies in whether the people can actually access it.”
He underscored that the Government’s mandate includes upholding the rule of law and delivering a justice system that serves every citizen equally.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to equipping both the public and professionals with the facilities needed to exercise their legal rights and responsibilities effectively.
