New regulations for appointing Justice of Peace

• Justice Ministry to introduce new rules to limit position according to administrative districts

Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorala said new regulations will be introduced to appoint Justices of Peace according to administrative districts, to improve the impartiality of the post.

“It is obvious that certain people who are not suitable had been appointed as the post of Justice of Peace, which has raised a lot of concerns over the years,” Athukorala said, at an event this week in Ratnapura to present new appointments of Justice of Peace. 

Athukorala pointed out that the new regulation would address the shortcoming of the previous methods that were used to appoint the Justice of Peace. She said the new method of appointment would help to provide services for the public more conveniently.  She noted the Ministry had suspended a few appointments of Justice of Peace,which were given to people who were alleged to be involved in illegal activities. Athukorala said she had suspended appointments of Justices of Peace thatwere allegedly involved in drug dealing.

She said people who had a good reputation in society should be appointed as Justices of Peace. However, the post of Justice of Peace was given for political motives, Athukorala said.

“Normally we appoint well-reputed people, such as Chief Monks of the temple and school principals, as the members of mediation boards. But some members of mediation boards do not understand the value of the post and the responsibilities of it,” she added.

Meanwhile, referring to the arrest of underworld figures and drug smuggler Makandure Madush in Dubai, Athukorala said concerns have been raised over the impartiality of police officers and prison officials, after revealing their connection with Makandure Madush. “It is really sad to hear those police officers and prison officers have been arrested with Makandure Madush in Dubai.”

She also went on to say proper education on the law could reduce the crime rate in the country. She noted the inclusion of the law in school syllabi would help to reduce crime and encourage the future generation to be law abiding citizens. (NS)