Courts clear decades-old case backlog, generate Rs. 952.9 m from disposal of productions

Friday, 27 March 2026 05:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s courts have cleared long-standing accumulations of case productions, generating Rs. 952.9 million in 2025, in a nationwide effort to address storage, security and resource inefficiencies linked to seized items held for decades.

For decades, Magistrates’ Courts and High Courts across Sri Lanka were overwhelmed with vast quantities of case productions, items seized by the police and other government authorities in connection with legal proceedings. Once taken into custody, these items were invariably handed over to the courts, which were then responsible for their safekeeping.

The range of productions was extensive, including vehicles (lorries, trucks, jeeps, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles), timber logs, sawn timber, sand, barrels, cans, agricultural tools, iron rods, wooden poles, knives, cables, water pumps, and countless other items. More critically, offensive weapons, firearms, explosives, and prohibited substances such as heroin, cannabis, hashish, and methamphetamine accumulated in large quantities, consuming valuable court space and creating significant logistical and security challenges.

This situation had wider economic and social consequences. Sri Lanka, which imports vehicles at considerable cost in foreign exchange, saw many of these seized vehicles deteriorate while lying idle in court premises. Their decay not only represented a waste of national resources but also disrupted the livelihoods of individuals dependent on them.

A turning point came with the appointment of His Lordship Justice P. Padman Surasena as Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. Under his leadership, the Judicial Service Commission launched an unprecedented initiative aimed at the speedy disposal of productions stored in court premises. This project was carried out in close collaboration with the “Clean Sri Lanka” program introduced by His Excellency the President. The success of this program was achieved through the unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts of judges, judicial officers, staff, officials of the Justice Ministry, tri-forces, police and numerous other stakeholders.

The results have been transformative. Court premises across the island, once cluttered with abandoned vehicles, heaps of sand, timber logs and many other materials, have been cleared and revitalized. Many sites now incorporate thoughtfully designed flowerbeds and landscaped areas, fostering a welcoming and professional atmosphere for both litigants and visitors. The initiative has not only enhanced the appearance of judicial spaces but also reinforced public confidence in the justice system.

Importantly, the disposal of productions that had stagnated for over two decades generated substantial revenue. In 2025 alone, a total of Rs. 952,896,911.74 was generated and remitted to the state through the disposal of productions in all courts. When combined with other sources of judicial revenue; including copying fees, notary fees, fines, stamp duties, and the confiscation of bail bonds, the total income generated through the courts amounted to Rs. 6,574,829,926.91.

This landmark effort represents a significant achievement in judicial administration, combining efficiency, accountability, economic stability and environmental stewardship, while simultaneously strengthening the image of Sri Lanka’s courts as institutions of order and dignity.