A senior delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund met Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara on June 2nd to discuss child-focused legal reforms and measures to strengthen the administration of justice involving children.
During the discussions, Nanayakkara said amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure have enabled child witnesses to provide testimony through video technology. He added that awareness programmes are being conducted for judges on the use of the system.
The minister also stressed the importance of incorporating child protection law into training programmes at the Judges’ Training Institute and the curriculum of Sri Lanka Law College.
According to the Ministry of Justice, dedicated facilities for recording video testimony from children have been established at courts in Kandy, with plans to expand the system to courts in other parts of the country.
The meeting also addressed delays in court proceedings. Nanayakkara said vacancies in institutions, including the Attorney General’s Department and other areas of the justice system, have contributed to delays, and that steps are being taken to address the issue.
The UNICEF delegation also included Sophia Tesfamariam, Anna Jóhannsdóttir, Alejandra Hernandez Gonzalez, Claudio Silvio Nardi, Andres Franco and Natalie Leston.
Last modified: June 9, 2026
