Several reforms to be introduced to bolster the judiciary– Ajith Perera

Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ajith P. Perera discussed several judicial reforms proposed by the Anti-Corruption Secretariat which included the establishment of a trail at bar method where hearings will be held daily with only one appeal. 

Speaking to the media yesterday (21), Deputy Minister Ajith Perera discussed several proposals submitted by the Anti-Corruption Secretariat aimed at reforming the judicial process within the country. 

Accordingly he stated that steps will be taken to establish a trail at bar system for crimes pertaining to bribery, asset declaration, corruption and crimes amounting to over Rs.5 million. The Deputy Minister further stated that cases pertaining to such activities will be directed to the Attorney General, who in turn will inform the Chief Justice to take necessary legal action. 

Ajith Perera further stated that the trial at bar method will be an efficient process that will vehemently benefit the judiciary, as the system will have hearings daily with only one appeal. It was also mentioned that a suggestion was made to establish 3 anti-corruption High Courts in Colombo where the parliament will have discretionary powers to decide which cases are heard in those courts. 

The Secretariat also proposed to increase the number of High Court Judges to 110 and to appoint recorder judges to ease the process of day to day trials.