May 03, Colombo (LNW): Ambassador Julie Chung reiterated the United States’ commitment to assisting Sri Lanka in its efforts to alleviate prison overcrowding, modernize court processes, and improve the efficiency of the judicial system. Her remarks came following the donation of 35 video conferencing units and the inauguration of new facilities in Agunakolapalessa and Galle prisons. Ambassador Chung emphasized that these initiatives will facilitate virtual proceedings, thereby enhancing prisoners’ access to legal services, expediting trials, and reducing judicial backlog.
In a tweet posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Ambassador Chung underscored her participation alongside the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe in a significant milestone for the Ministry of Justice’s virtual courts initiative in Sri Lanka.
She stated, “The United States State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s initiatives that aim to reduce prison overcrowding, streamline court automation, and enhance the overall effectiveness of judicial processes.” This reaffirms the US government’s dedication to collaborating with Sri Lanka in advancing its judicial reforms.
