The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 Thank you. You also referred to efficiency charters to reduce delays, including establishing a Provincial High Court at Panadura—administrative groundwork has been done but not completed. Please expedite for Panadura and similarly elsewhere.

¶ 02 On court digitalization: in 2017, we first discussed this; in 2018, as Non-Cabinet Minister for Digital Infrastructure and IT, I worked with Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorala. Our region’s countries have reduced delays via digitalization and court automation. Bad practices exist—by some lawyers, parties and corrupt or inefficient officials. Court automation helps curb these everywhere. I studied Malaysia’s system; it parallels ours. Minister Atukorala submitted Cabinet Paper No. 19/0265/120/011 on 2019.01.08. The Oversight Committee on Legal Affairs (Anti-Corruption) and Media discussed it. ICTA, Digital Ministry and Justice Ministry coordinated; an EY audit of the entire court system was done. Later, as Chair of the Bar Association’s Court Automation Committee (invited by Ali Sabry), we matured the project. Unfortunately, the succeeding Minister was less enthusiastic and halted it. The total cost then was about Rs. 5 billion—roughly a highway kilometre or a major bridge. Today, with tech advances, costs are lower. The plan is in phases, technically vetted, and approved up to the Chief Justice. Please proceed without delay. This is the best way to end delays and improve quality. I am ready to assist.

¶ 03 On Sri Lanka Law Reports (SLRs): there are significant delays in reporting; many important judgments remain unreported, making access difficult. We need to speed up reporting, increase volumes, and create a dedicated unit for compilation and digital availability.

¶ 04 On foreign judgments: we brought the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, No. 49 of 2024. Under section 2(1)(a)(ii), the appointed date is to be specified by you. My understanding is the Gazette has not issued. Please issue it, and backdate the appointed date to the date of enactment, because courts have already granted relief under it, unaware it was not operationalized. Otherwise, there will be complications.