SJB seeks PSC to tackle 1.1 million case backlog

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on Tuesday submitted a resolution to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne calling for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to identify measures to expedite the disposal of pending court cases and address chronic delays in Sri Lanka's judicial system.

The resolution, initiated by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and signed by the SJB parliamentary group, was formally handed over to the Speaker by a delegation of SJB MPs led by Premadasa.

The proposal comes amid concerns over the growing backlog of litigation, with Ministry of Justice data indicating that approximately 1.1 million cases are currently pending before courts across the country.

The proposed PSC has been requested to examine the underlying causes of delays in the administration of justice and recommend short-, medium- and long-term measures to accelerate the legal process.

According to the resolution, several systemic issues have contributed to the mounting case backlog, including vacancies in the judiciary, a shortage of legal officers in the Attorney General's Department, and delays in obtaining reports from the Government Analyst's Department and the Government Valuation Department.

The SJB also pointed to recent remarks made in Parliament by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, who reportedly acknowledged that the heavy workload and resulting delays at the Attorney General's Department were a major factor contributing to delays in court proceedings.

The Opposition further highlighted the impact of judicial delays on the country's prison system. According to Department of Prisons data, although Sri Lanka's prisons have the capacity to accommodate around 10,000 inmates, the current prison population exceeds 40,000.

The resolution noted that nearly 75 per cent of inmates are suspects awaiting the conclusion of legal proceedings, underscoring the consequences of prolonged delays in the justice system.

The SJB has requested that the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee be appointed under Standing Orders 100 to 110 with a mandate to investigate the causes of the judicial backlog, recommend reforms to improve the efficiency of the courts, and propose measures to ease prison overcrowding caused by lengthy legal proceedings.

The party said a comprehensive review through a Parliamentary Select Committee would help formulate practical recommendations to strengthen the administration of justice while ensuring the timely disposal of cases and reducing the number of remand prisoners awaiting trial.