Govt. takes steps to setup special High Court for bribery and corruption cases

The Government has taken steps to establish a special High Court to promptly investigate cases of bribery and corruption and highly complex financial crimes.

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the Cabinet paper submitted by Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala in this regard on 30 January and it will be presented to Parliament soon.

The Cabinet has already given its approval to amend the Judicature Act No 2 of 1978 in order to establish a three-member High Court dedicated to hear the cases speedily.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved publishing the draft bill prepared to amend the Judicature Act No.2 of 1978 in the Government Gazette and subsequently to present it in Parliament for approval.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing a public rally yesterday, said the special High Court to hear serious frauds will start functioning by August this year. (colombopage)