The Judicature (Amendment) Bill passed in Parliament with amendments a short while ago,Ada Derana correspondent reported.
The second reading of Judicature Amendment Bill took place at the parliament today (09).
The Bill was presented on the 6th of March 2018 by the Minister of Justice. It amends the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978. The Determination of the Supreme Court in regard of the Bill was announced to the House by the Speaker on the 03rd of April 2018.
This makes provisions for a Permanent High Court at Bar to try, hear and determine the trials of the offences specified in the Sixth Schedule of the Act.
The new law will enable the chief justice to establish special high courts and appoint three judges to them as needed.
In the 225-member parliament 119 lawmakers backed the special court law and 52 voted against. Many legislators were not present at the vote.
The new law seeks to establish courts to handle cases related to bribery and corruption to speed up cases that have dragged on for years.
Currently, Sri Lanka’s courts, which act as investigative magistrates weighing evidence before a trial can be started, can take up to five years before a defendant even reaches the dock.
