Justice must be accessible to all without discrimination, PM says

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the establishment of the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice are among the most important commitments made by the Government to the people of Sri Lanka, emphasising that justice must be accessible to all without discrimination.

Dr. Amarasuriya made the remarks at Parliament on 24 September.

She said the constitutional amendment currently under consideration must be viewed within the broader reforms being undertaken to strengthen the justice system as a whole. Improving access to justice cannot be achieved through a single amendment or through reforming one institution alone, she noted, but requires comprehensive reforms across the entire justice system.

The Prime Minister highlighted measures taken during the past two years to strengthen independent investigations and improve the capacity of the Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct investigations fairly and impartially. She also pointed to steps taken to ensure impartiality in recruitment, promotions and appointments within these institutions.

She said the Government has taken measures to improve the efficiency of the justice system by filling vacancies, increasing opportunities for hearings, focusing resources on courts with heavy caseloads, introducing technological support and providing additional support staff. Recruitment to the Government Analyst’s Department, which had faced longstanding vacancies and contributed to delays in investigations, is also being addressed, she noted.

The proposed constitutional amendment would enable the establishment of Courts of Appeal in the provinces where required, as part of the broader effort to make justice more accessible to people throughout the country, she said.

The Prime Minister said justice delayed has affected the lives of ordinary citizens and has also benefited an elite in this country. She noted that prolonged delays in investigations and legal proceedings had contributed to a cycle in which accountability was repeatedly weakened when governments changed.

She stressed that the proposed amendment seeks to increase the retirement age of judges across the board and does not target any individual judge or particular court. Extending the judicial retirement age is not unique to Sri Lanka, she said, citing international examples including the United Kingdom, which increased the retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 in 2021, and Hong Kong, which increased it from 65 to 70 in 2019.

She further stated that the amendment does not confer special powers on the Executive over the Judiciary or alter the balance of power between the institutions of government.

Responding to criticism of the proposed amendment, the Prime Minister said the debate should be considered within the context of the Government’s wider commitment to strengthening the independence, efficiency and accessibility of the justice system.

She concluded that the transformation taking place in the country is also reflected in growing public confidence in the possibility of building stronger public institutions and a more accountable system of governance. She also highlighted the response of young people following the recent railway strike, when some purchased additional tickets after services resumed as a small but meaningful indication of a growing sense of responsibility towards public institutions.