New Pugoda Court Complex Opened to the Public
The new Pugoda Court Complex was opened on Friday (24), with the aim of strengthening judicial services and improving access to justice.
Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, stated that reducing the large backlog of cases in courts and bringing it to a manageable level for judges remains one of the biggest challenges in the judicial sector.
The Minister made these remarks while participating as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the new court complex.
Constructed at a cost of Rs. 882.5 million, the three-storey court complex includes a District Court, Magistrate’s Court, Legal Aid Centre, Community Corrections Office, and Probation Office, along with other essential facilities.
An electronic case management system (e-CMS) has also been introduced to the court as part of the digitalisation programme of Sri Lanka’s judicial system.
The Minister said the project, which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, was resumed and completed after the present government assumed office.
He further stated that the government has taken steps to provide the necessary human resources and facilities to improve the efficiency of the Government Analyst’s Department. Expediting government analyst reports will also help reduce congestion in prisons, he added.
The Minister also noted that the government is focusing on introducing necessary legal reforms and technological solutions to address overcrowding in prisons.
