Cabinet nod for new Commercial High Court

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of the new Commercial High Court at No. 80, Justice Avenue, Colombo 12.

This strategic positioning aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for parties involved in commercial disputes.  The proposal presented by the Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday.

“This landmark decision aims to address the mounting number of commercial disputes that require swift resolution,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday emphasising the urgency of expediting legal proceedings. 

He said achieving development goals requires taking the necessary steps to maintain a better investment environment in the country. Considering that situation, it has been identified the need for a new Commercial High Court to ensure expeditious disposal of the existing backlog of commercial matters.

This move follows discussions that began in December 2022 regarding the establishment of a Commercial High Court within the Port City area. The newly sanctioned Commercial High Court will possess both first instance and appellate jurisdiction in commercial disputes, offering a comprehensive platform for resolving a wide array of commercial matters. 

“The creation of the Commercial High Court signals a significant step towards strengthening the legal framework for commerce in Sri Lanka,” he added.