Attorney General's approval for judicial system reforms, including the increase of judges' pensions

The Attorney General has certified that the proposed series of structural amendments, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Sri Lanka's judicial system and minimizing case delays, are in accordance with the Constitution. Accordingly, arrangements have been made to implement these new reforms by amending the legal provisions of the Constitution, the Judicature Act, and the Public and Judicial Officers' Retirement Ordinance.

According to these proposed legal changes, the retirement age limit for all judges representing the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, as well as District and Magistrate Courts, will be increased by two years. In addition, steps have been taken to increase the number of Court of Appeal judges from 19 to 24, and the number of High Court judges from 110 to 120.

Providing practical solutions to the case backlog crisis, two Civil Appellate High Courts have been established in place of the existing one. The number of Commercial High Courts has been increased from 3 to 5, and the number of High Courts hearing criminal cases has been increased from 8 to 11. Furthermore, several official residences previously used by former ministers have been converted into court complexes.

To expedite the hearing of bribery cases, facilities have been provided for daily hearings in Halls No. 06, 10, and 11 of the Colombo High Court. Additionally, the powers of 8 regional Magistrate Courts, including Deyyandara, Angunakolapelessa, Bibile, and Galgamuwa, have been expanded to the district level.

Courts in Ratnapura, Gampaha, Anuradhapura, and Ampara, which were closed due to a shortage of officers, have been reopened. New courts have been established in Puttalam, Wellawaya, Hatton, and Welisara. Furthermore, with the aim of increasing the speed of case hearings, arrangements are being made to recruit new officers and provide modern technical machinery to the Government Analyst's Department.