Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena has pledged to accelerate the digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s judicial system, declaring that the time has come to adopt technology-driven reforms in the administration of justice.
Speaking at the ceremonial sitting held at the Supreme Court to formally welcome him as the 49th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, on Thursday, Chief Justice Surasena stressed the need for an efficient and transparent court system to restore and uphold public trust in the judiciary.
“The entire country is awaiting this transformation. Digitalisation will not only bring efficiency but also help eliminate corruption and irregularities in court processes,” he said.
The Chief Justice revealed that discussions have already commenced with key stakeholders, including the Minister of Justice, the Secretary to the Ministry, and the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), to prepare the groundwork for the digital shift.
The Chief Justice said that the government had assured its commitment to providing the necessary resources to support the initiative.
Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr.), PC, and BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya, addressed the gathering, which was attended by Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Courts, District Courts, and Magistrates’ Courts, as well as senior members of the legal fraternity.
Chief Justice Surasena, who entered the legal field without a family background in law, said he was deeply honoured by his appointment and thanked the President and the Constitutional Council for their confidence in him. He called on the legal community to rally around the reform agenda and help deliver timely and effective justice to the public.
By A.J.A. Abeynayake 