COLOMBO: (Oct 28) Sri Lanka will establish four new High Courts in state bungalows vacated by former presidents, as part of a broader judicial reform drive aimed at clearing case backlogs and fast-tracking corruption trials, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced on Tuesday.
The government had revoked privileges and state housing enjoyed by former heads of state last month, paving the way for the repurposing of the properties.
“We all know the number of cases currently being heard on past corruption and other abuses. The proceedings have been delayed due to infrastructure limitations,” Herath said while addressing reporters in Colombo.
He said the move will help the judiciary handle pending cases more efficiently and ensure “greater accountability for public office bearers.”
The creation of the new High Courts is part of the government’s effort to strengthen judicial capacity amid rising public demand for faster trials, particularly in cases linked to financial misconduct and abuse of power by former officials.