The Supreme Court today announced that only ‘urgent’ matters will be taken up in open court for hearing from 6th to 14th May 2021, in view of the COVID19 situation in Colombo.
If there are any urgent matters which should be taken up in open court, a motion containing an application to such effect should be filed before the scheduled date or if that is not possible, before 9.30 AM on the scheduled date, with prior notice to relevant parties, the Supreme Court Registrar announced.
The Supreme Court registrar further announced that such urgent matters will be taken up in a designated court commencing at 11.00 AM.
The Supreme Court Registrar further announced that litigants will not be permitted to enter the Superior Courts Complex, unless permission has been obtained from the relevant presiding justice.
All Attorneys-at-Law have been requested to fully adhere to health guidelines issued by health authorities relating to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
Attorneys-at-Law have been further requested to enter court rooms only when it is reasonably likely that their respective application is about to be taken up.
The new dates for matters that are scheduled from 6th to 13th May 2021 will be notified later.
However, the Supreme Court announced that the Registry will receive all new filings, motions, written submissions and other documents from 6th of May to 31st May between 9.30 AM and 1.00 PM
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal had announced that as a precautionary measure it will also not sit from May 6-14. Urgent cases only to be considered on the basis of motions filed electronically with two days’ notice.
