SJB Proposes Parliamentary Select Committee to Address Judicial Case Backlog

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has submitted a proposal to Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne requesting the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to examine and recommend solutions to Sri Lanka's growing backlog of court cases.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Justice, nearly 1.1 million cases are currently pending within the country's judicial system, highlighting the need for comprehensive judicial reforms.

The proposal follows a resolution initiated by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, which was signed by members of the SJB parliamentary group. The resolution calls for the establishment of a special parliamentary committee to identify practical measures to accelerate legal proceedings and improve the efficiency of the justice system.

A group of SJB Members of Parliament, led by the Opposition Leader, formally handed over the proposal to the Speaker today.

The proposal identifies several key factors contributing to prolonged judicial delays, including vacant judicial positions, a shortage of legal officers at the Attorney General's Department, and delays in obtaining reports from the Government Analyst's Department and the Government Valuation Department.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara has reportedly acknowledged in Parliament that the heavy workload faced by the Attorney General's Department is also a major cause of delays in court proceedings.

The proposal further highlights concerns over prison overcrowding. According to data from the Department of Prisons, Sri Lanka's prison system has a capacity of around 10,000 inmates, while the current prison population exceeds 40,000. Approximately 75 percent of inmates are reported to be suspects awaiting the completion of legal proceedings.

The SJB has therefore requested the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee under Standing Orders 100 to 110 to investigate the causes of judicial delays, recommend short-, medium-, and long-term reforms, and propose measures to reduce prison overcrowding.