Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has said establishing the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice are among the Government’s key commitments to the people, stressing that the justice system must serve everyone without discrimination.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday (24), the Prime Minister said the proposed constitutional amendment currently under consideration should be viewed as part of a broader programme of reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s justice system, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division.
Dr. Amarasuriya said improving access to justice cannot be achieved through a single constitutional amendment or by reforming one institution in isolation, but requires comprehensive changes across the justice system.
She highlighted measures taken over the past two years to strengthen independent investigations and enhance the capacity of the Police and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct investigations fairly and impartially.
The Prime Minister also pointed to measures aimed at ensuring greater impartiality in recruitment, promotions and appointments within these institutions.
She said steps have also been taken to improve the efficiency of the courts by filling vacancies, expanding opportunities for hearings, directing resources towards courts facing heavy caseloads, introducing technological support and providing additional staff.
Dr. Amarasuriya said longstanding vacancies in the Government Analyst’s Department, which have contributed to delays in investigations, are also being addressed through recruitment.
She further explained that the proposed constitutional amendment would allow Courts of Appeal to be established in provinces where they are required, as part of efforts to make the justice system more accessible to people across the country.
The Prime Minister said delays in delivering justice have had a direct impact on ordinary citizens, while prolonged investigations and legal proceedings have also contributed to a situation in which accountability was weakened whenever governments changed.
Addressing concerns over the proposed changes to judicial retirement ages, Dr. Amarasuriya stressed that the amendment would apply generally to judges and was not intended to target any particular judge or court.
She noted that changes to judicial retirement ages have also been introduced in other countries, citing the United Kingdom’s decision to increase the retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 in 2021 and Hong Kong’s increase from 65 to 70 in 2019.
The Prime Minister also maintained that the proposed amendment would not grant additional powers to the Executive over the Judiciary or change the existing balance of power among the institutions of government.
Responding to criticism of the proposed amendment, she said the debate should be considered within the wider context of the Government’s efforts to strengthen judicial independence,