Justice delays must be addressed soon for people’s betterment: NMSJ

Thursday, 6 February 2025 04:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says over 1 m cases in Sri Lanka’s courts are stuck in state of delay

The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) in a statement yesterday stressed that delays in the justice system must urgently be addressed as it is a serious issue that directly impacts the well-being of the people.

According to reports from the Judicial Service Commission, around 1.1 million cases in Sri Lanka’s courts are stuck in a state of delay. These include 5,600 cases in the Supreme Court, 4,000 in the Court of Appeal, 6,100 in the Civil Appellate Court, 28,000 in the High Courts, 254,000 in District Courts, and 791,000 in Magistrate’s Courts.

“These delays have been building up over several years, and it is clear that no single group is entirely to blame. However, the continued delays are having a huge negative impact on the lives of the people and the fairness of our society. It is becoming increasingly clear that someone seeking justice today might have to wait for generations before they get a resolution,” the NMSJ said.

“As a nation, we must take immediate action to fix this serious problem. We understand that this is a tough challenge, not only for the new Government but also for the current Minister of Justice. However, it is a responsibility that we all must face together. We urge all parties to focus on this issue and take action without delay,” it added.