A wider judicial reform programme will increase the number of judges, expand regional court services and improve court facilities to make access to justice easier for the public.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined the plans during a meeting with representatives of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussion also focused on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which concerns the retirement age of judges.
The President said the retirement-age proposal forms only one part of a wider programme to address issues across the justice system.
More judges and regional court services
The plans include increasing the number of High Court judges and Court of Appeal judges.
The administration also plans to provide the infrastructure needed for the Court of Appeal to conduct proceedings on a regional basis.
This could make access to appellate court services easier for people who now need to travel to Colombo or other locations for proceedings.
The plans also include expanding CIABOC services to the district level.
The President said the administration is also working to increase staff and resources at the Attorney General’s Department, CIABOC, Sri Lanka Police and Government Analyst’s Department.
These institutions play key roles in investigations, prosecutions and court proceedings.
The reform plans also cover improvements to physical infrastructure and facilities at courts.
BASL seeks wider consensus
The BASL told the President that it has no policy objection to increasing the number of judges or extending their retirement age.
However, its representatives proposed reconsidering the retirement-age decision to build broader consensus on the issue.
The President said the decision to extend the retirement age was not taken with any individual or group in mind. He said the broader public interest guided the decision.
The administration is now working on several parts of the wider reform programme, while discussions continue on the proposed constitutional amendment.
Last modified: August 13, 2026
