The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, I think my time begins from now. Before addressing today’s debate, I first wish to say this. I want to tell the people of this country and this august House that since 2024, the politics of exploiting racism and religious extremism for political gain has ended in this country. Therefore, I respectfully remind the Opposition not to fall into a narrow racist and religious trap to fulfil personal political desires.

¶ 02 Madam Deputy Chairperson, as we debate the expenditure Head of the Justice sector today, I intend to present several views. In bringing a modern and efficient justice delivery process to this country and as an economic and social investment, I am happy to present a few points during this debate on allocating funds to the Ministry of Justice through this Budget.

¶ 03 When we examine history over a long period, what were the obstacles to our justice delivery process? I believe this Budget has been presented understanding those obstacles and the problematic conditions we faced, with a forward-looking vision.

¶ 04 Especially, former British PM William E. Gladstone once said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” Madam Deputy Chairperson, when we consider justice delayed and justice denied, we had longstanding issues. What were they? There were problems of infrastructure in our court system. The present NPP Government has allocated significant funds in this Budget for infrastructure development.

¶ 05 In particular, Rs. 1,373 million has been allocated to improve judicial infrastructure. Funds are proposed for construction/renovation and addressing deficiencies at the Ratnapura and Welimada Court Complexes, the Walapane Magistrate’s Court Complex, and the Kaduwela Court Complex. Also, as the Hon. Minister of Justice stated, one of the main issues was lack of staff. Accordingly, approval has been granted at this stage for 2,871 new recruitments next year – 1,315 for the Courts and 1,086 for Prisons. Thus, steps have been taken by this Government to make the process efficient.

¶ 06 Also, compared to developed countries, how do we integrate technology into our justice system? A pilot programme to digitize the Courts has been implemented based on the Negombo Court Complex. Accordingly, the Government is focusing on using new technology to make justice delivery systematic and efficient. Approval has already been granted to procure 100 audio-visual technological devices. In the past year, we brought in the 2025 No. 7 amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure to enable recording evidence of suspects and witnesses through electronic means using audio-visual media. Proposals to amend Section 167 of the Civil Procedure Code have been sent to the Attorney-General.

¶ 07 The NPP Government has already brought many new laws necessary for justice delivery to this Parliament and passed them. More are being drafted and discussed. A few examples: the 2025 No. 5 Act on Proceeds of Crime has been passed. A draft has been sent to the Legal Draftsman on how to exercise jurisdiction over foreigners apprehended on the high seas for drug offences. The Removal of Presidential Immunities Act has already been passed by Parliament. We have also focused on creating a modern prison system in this Budget: integrating a biometric system with the Prison Information Management System with an allocation of Rs. 7.5 million; Rs. 2,000 million for technical training centres and prison modernization; steps for rehabilitation; establishing community-based correction centres; and considering house arrest in lieu of remand incarceration where appropriate.

¶ 08 Madam Deputy Chairperson, my time is up. I will conclude briefly.

¶ 09 Additionally, in my Homagama electorate, Rs. 100 million has been allocated for constructing the Watareka Prison – an open prison especially for the rehabilitation of young inmates. Through all these new approaches, the aspiration of the NPP Government is to build a country and a State where the people receive law and justice equally.

¶ 10 Thank you.