Sri Lanka unveils judicial reform plan amid court backlog crisis

Sri Lanka's courts are grappling with approximately 1.1 million pending cases, creating one of South Asia's most significant judicial bottlenecks. The backlog has resulted in criminal cases averaging around 17 years to reach conclusion, while civil litigation frequently extends beyond 20 years, leaving citizens frustrated and the justice system strained.

The government's proposed reform package aims to address these systemic delays through structural and procedural changes to the judiciary. Officials argue the measures are essential to restore public confidence in the legal system and accelerate case resolution across all court levels.

However, the proposals have drawn criticism from legal experts and civil society groups, who have raised concerns about certain elements of the reform agenda. Stakeholders have called for broader consultation before implementation, warning that poorly designed reforms could compromise judicial independence or procedural fairness.

The judicial backlog has long been identified as a critical impediment to Sri Lanka's economic development and rule of law. Business groups have particularly highlighted how prolonged commercial litigation undermines investor confidence, while ordinary citizens face years of uncertainty resolving personal and property disputes.

The government is expected to present further details of its reform plan in coming weeks as it seeks to build consensus among legal professionals, parliament, and the public.