The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne

¶ 01 That is good, because we can then proceed module by module. Until last year, many courts did not even have POS machines for fines; those were introduced only recently. If we add essential modules one by one, we can fully digitize the system. Otherwise, people suffer greatly just to obtain proceedings from the Record Room. Please expedite this.

¶ 02 Under our Government, we also prepared drafts for house arrest. I believe the draft is at the Legal Draftsman’s Department. Introducing house arrest—at least initially in civil contexts—would help reduce remand congestion. Today, roughly two-thirds of inmates are on remand—close to 30,000, including convicted persons. House arrest could be a solution, especially where someone without criminal intent ends up in remand for a few days over a minor civil matter.

¶ 03 In May 2024 we passed the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2024, providing that time spent in remand and during appeal be counted towards the sentence. However, there was an issue regarding those sentenced before 1 July. Therefore, then Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe obtained Cabinet approval on 1 July to introduce a further amendment to apply it retrospectively. If that is enacted, over 1,900 inmates could be released. Many are elderly, some over 80, some on dialysis. Prison officers struggle to care for them. We sought forensic medical reports and looked under the Prisons Ordinance for alternatives, but amendment of the law is what is required. I request your special attention.

¶ 04 Finally, I draw attention to the Kandy Lawyers’ Complex and the land provided for it. In 1990, the UDA acquired the land to establish Courts and Prisons. Courts were built on one part and space given for lawyers’ offices; the remainder stayed with the UDA as the prison was relocated to Pallekele. We proposed giving portions to new lawyers. Although the UDA later planned a 20-30 storey high-rise, it was impractical due to soil and piling costs, and it was abandoned. Then, 40 perches were given to the CEB; during my tenure, we arranged for CEB to take land at the rear and return the 40 perches for the lawyers’ complex. I table the relevant letter.

¶ 05 The only agreement was that the lawyers’ complex would pay the UDA the original acquisition value. The existing Kandy lawyers’ complex is under the Justice Ministry; no individual lawyer has yet paid for land. I am not asking you to proceed in that exact way, but at least offer land to our junior lawyers at the original 1990 price; they cannot afford large investments now.