Sri Lanka moves to enable remote witness testimony in court proceedings

The government has proposed amendments to the Civil Procedure Code that would permit witnesses to provide evidence before courts through live audio-visual technology, potentially from locations outside Sri Lanka. The Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill was published in a Gazette supplement dated October 16, 2026, following directives from the Minister of Justice and National Integration.

The proposed legislative changes mark a significant shift in how court evidence is gathered and presented, potentially streamlining proceedings that have traditionally required witnesses to appear in person. By enabling remote testimony through video conferencing and similar technologies, the amendments could reduce delays caused by witness unavailability or geographic constraints.

The measure is expected to benefit cases where witnesses reside abroad or are unable to travel to Sri Lanka, a common challenge in international commercial disputes and cases involving diaspora communities. The proposed amendments also reflect global trends among common law jurisdictions toward adopting digital tools in the judicial system.

The bill remains under government consideration and is expected to move through parliamentary procedures in the coming months. Legal experts anticipate the changes could modernize Sri Lanka's court system while maintaining the integrity of cross-examination and evidence-gathering processes.