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

¶ 01 Hon. Member, in 2006 the plots Nos. 11, 27, 28 and 24 were taken. One accommodates the Kandy Court Complex. The lawyers’ complex was to be built at the lawyers’ expense under a method for them to acquire on lease; Plot No. 24 is for parking.

¶ 02 Regarding the 40-perch block you mention, as per information with me, no Ministry has transferred that to the Ministry of Justice. When we start a new court, recognising that the legal profession is necessary for its functioning, we set aside space within the court land where possible and permit lawyers’ facilities. But under our Gazette and subject purview, we cannot acquire separate lands solely to build lawyers’ chambers. Hence the 09.09.2024 Cabinet Decision under President Ranil Wickremesinghe. If you maintain that the 60 perches are within the acquired court lands, we can discuss it further. Based on my information, the CEB block you refer to is outside the core allocated area and the internal space has already been used up.