Land acquired for new court complex

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

 A six-acre land has been acquired by the Ministry of Justice to establish a new court complex with 40 court rooms to ease the congestion at Hulftsdorp and to take action against the controversial 122 cases that took place during the last regime.

According to Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorala, lack of officers at the Attorney General’s Department, as well as a suitable court house, are additional reasons to go for hearings. “There are 122 files, and we have taken legal actions for 38. There are 61 files still under investigation at the Attorney General’s Department, and we have sent back 22 files seeking more information. But, I am unable to give further details of these ongoing court cases or suspect names,” she said.

“The Ministry has taken all possible action to establish new courts. The Ministry of Justice can only provide the necessary infrastructure and personnel required for the courts, but the Attorney General’s Department should file the case and proceed. There is big lacuna for necessary officers at the Attorney General’s Department. We have relocated the Colombo Traffic Court to start the new High Courts. But, this building needs urgent repairs and the opening will get delayed further. The repairs are being done by the Navy. The Chief Justice has named three judges for one court. It is necessary to appoint more judges for the other two courts,” she added.