The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, a few clarifications before my main remarks. On teacher appointments raised by the Opposition Leader, the information is incomplete. There were four Supreme Court cases filed by Development Officers on these appointments; those cases were dismissed. Hence the President, in the Budget Speech, invited them to join through examinations like others, not by agitation on the roadside.

¶ 02 On coroners, I agree current payments are inadequate. Discussions are underway to increase allowances, together with appropriate supervision and accountability.

¶ 03 Now, to the subject. Today’s Head concerns one of the main Ministries advancing the rule of law and order. This is our Government’s second Budget. We did not inherit a Ministry with full resources and smooth systems. Last time, I spoke of human resource deficits, lack of digital systems, case delays, declining indices, prison congestion and national integration challenges. While not all are solved in one year, we have adopted strong approaches and achieved progress recognized domestically and internationally.

¶ 04 According to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Sri Lanka moved from 75th to 74th in 2025. On Absence of Corruption, from 63rd to 61st; on Open Government, from 63rd to 59th; on Fundamental Rights, from 86th to 85th; on Civil Justice, from 123rd to 100th. Notably, on Constraints on Government Powers, from 76th to 67th – a nine-place rise in one year – reflecting judicial and audit independence. This aligns with the President’s vision to restore international confidence in our citizenry and institutions.

¶ 05 We propose Rs. 58.5 billion for justice-sector expenditure this year. Our foremost challenge is human resources. Despite constraints, approvals have been granted for 2,871 recruitments via the Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Committee: of these, 1,515 for the Courts and 1,086 for Prisons, with processes underway.

¶ 06 We legislate through expert committees and seek public input. Beyond the Law Commission, 14 expert committees are at work on key areas including a new law to prevent organized crime, establishing an Office of the State Prosecutor, and replacing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The new Counter-Terrorism Bill has been submitted to me; Sinhala and Tamil translations are being finalized and will be published for public consultation shortly, fulfilling our pledge to repeal the PTA.

¶ 07 We passed significant reforms: on recovery and forfeiture of criminal proceeds (now operational with a dedicated Police unit since 20 October 2025); enabling audio-visual testimony of suspects, accused and witnesses in open court to reduce risk, travel and time, with e-transmission of expert reports. We are preparing similar amendments to the Civil Procedure Code. Procurement for 100 audio-visual kits for courts is underway.

¶ 08 We modernized Bills of Exchange law to streamline commerce and strengthened the National Audit Office by passing long-pending Audit Act amendments to ensure accountability of public officials. We fulfilled our promise to end public funding of former and future Presidents’ and their families’ non-monetary privileges by law.

¶ 09 We avoid political interference with the independent judiciary. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), chaired by the Chief Justice, manages judicial administration. As you have heard, more than twenty judges and a larger number of officers have been subjected to interdictions or disciplinary measures by the JSC; over 650 complaints were investigated with decisions rendered. Performance evaluation mechanisms are being implemented. These are independent JSC actions, not political interventions.

¶ 10 Aligned with the Clean Sri Lanka programme, the JSC is executing a special plan to clear backlogs by 31 December, with detailed circulars, designated judges, and weekend work by registrars and staff. I thank all judicial officers and staff for this effort.

¶ 11 Digitalization is a Government policy. The Chief Justice has already digitized much of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal processes and is extending this to other courts; we provide full support.

¶ 12 Our judge-to-population ratio is low. We will continue increasing judges and courts. Fifty new judges were recruited this year. Additional District Courts have been opened in Puttalam, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura; Additional Magistrates’ Courts in Ratnapura and Kegalle; Mannampitiya and Kalpitiya are being upgraded to Magistrates’ Courts. We have moved to Gazette Bibile, Deyiyandara, Thambuttegama, Angunukolapelessa, Anamaduwa and Galgamuwa as District/Magistrates’ Courts. An additional Civil Appellate High Court commenced in Colombo, and a ninth High Court division was added with subject specialization. More courtrooms are still needed to clear backlogs.

¶ 13 Cabinet decided that Ministers will not use official residences. Four such residences are being allocated to the judiciary to establish temporary High Court courtrooms, to hear, among others, major fraud and corruption cases, subject to the Chief Justice’s directions. These will be handed over within two weeks.

¶ 14 On infrastructure, when I assumed office, many projects were stalled. The JSC functioned in containers since 2017; we completed renovations and handed over the building. The Appeal Court building renovation under Chinese aid was completed and opened in January. The Supreme Court building renovation under Chinese aid will be completed and handed over in December. We opened the Puttalam Court Complex last month; Vakarei, Nikaweratiya and Valachchenai will be opened within this year.

¶ 15 We commenced construction of the Ministry building on the BCC land and are developing the entire Hulftsdorp court precinct into a modern complex with separate zones for criminal, civil, appellate and Supreme Court functions. Construction of a new civil courts complex – for pre-trial, small claims, District, Commercial High, Civil Appellate and an international arbitration centre – is planned to commence in early 2026.

¶ 16 On prisons: our anti-narcotics national operation “The Nation Together” is yielding results, but prisons are overcrowded at about three times capacity. We expanded capacities at Pallansena and Boossa; budget provisions will kick-start Moratuwa and Kalutara prisons. An additional Rs. 2,000 million was allocated in the Budget for prison expansion and facilities. We will restart construction of the long-stalled Matara–Kotawila prison complex and resume the Wariyapola expansion. As short-term relief, we are adding temporary structures where possible.

¶ 17 On national integration and language policy: our divisions and affiliated institutions implemented 318 projects benefiting 15,552 persons to foster inter-ethnic and inter-religious coexistence, uplift vulnerable communities’ economies, and improve environmental safety.

¶ 18 The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has a Cabinet-approved plan to complete investigations by 2028. Excavations and forensic investigations at 17 mass graves are ongoing, including Colombo Port, Mannar Thiruketheeswaram, Jaffna Chemmani, Batticaloa Kurukkalmadam and Trincomalee Sampur. Over Rs. 2.2 billion has been spent to date on these processes.

¶ 19 We presented a successful report to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances in Geneva in September and responded effectively to their list of issues.

¶ 20 The Office for Reparation continues to provide reparations to conflict-affected persons in the North and East; we have concluded payments for deaths, injuries and property losses over nearly 30 years up to last September. Payments have been made to 4,348 families of those missing after the year 2000; they will continue per OMP lists. A committee is being appointed to recommend a reparations package for those missing prior to 2000.

¶ 21 We will prevent fraudulent reparations while ensuring those affected by the Aragalaya receive due support under clear criteria, for which Cabinet approval is being sought. Reparation support includes psychosocial aid and livelihood assistance with continuous monitoring. We have fully completed payments from the Easter Sunday Victims’ Fund, disbursing Rs. 310 million to 663 beneficiaries.

¶ 22 Our Ministry’s progress report details further work. We are rebuilding public trust through independent, efficient and transparent mechanisms. I thank the Secretary and staff of the Ministry, the Chief Justice and the JSC, the judiciary, the Attorney General, and the heads and staff of all institutions under our purview.

¶ 23 Thank you.