September 18, Colombo (LNW): In a significant stride towards a more compassionate and protective legal environment, Sri Lanka has commenced the establishment of dedicated child witness rooms across the country’s court system.
The move is set to transform the way children engage with the justice process, particularly in cases where they are required to provide testimony.
The initiative was launched at the Kandy High Court, where the first such facility was formally opened by Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara. Addressing the gathering, the Minister described the development as a watershed moment in the evolution of Sri Lanka’s judicial system, noting that child victims and witnesses will now be able to participate in legal proceedings without being subjected to the intimidating and often retraumatising experience of facing a courtroom and the accused.
The newly introduced rooms are fitted with modern audio-visual equipment, enabling children to provide testimony remotely from a secure and separate space within the court complex. This allows for a more sensitive approach to child protection while ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
The establishment of these facilities is part of a broader legislative and institutional overhaul being introduced through the proposed Child Protection and Justice Bill. Among its key aims is the integration of child-centric principles into every facet of the judicial process, including mechanisms for case conferencing, tailored case management, and diversion pathways designed to keep children—especially those in conflict with the law—out of the formal criminal justice system wherever possible.
Minister Nanayakkara also confirmed that complementary legislative measures are already underway, including efforts to outlaw corporal punishment, further cementing the country’s shift towards international child rights standards and best practices.
“These rooms are not simply about technology,” the Minister remarked. “They represent a deeper change—where a child’s voice is heard without fear, where dignity replaces trauma, and where justice serves protection as much as punishment.”
The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to expand the scheme in phases, starting with 15 more high courts, followed by a wider rollout to 35 additional judicial institutions. Once fully implemented, the initiative will ensure comprehensive national access to child-sensitive justice.
The reform is also aligned with the government’s digital transformation agenda, which includes modernising court infrastructure and introducing more technologically equipped and accessible legal processes.
