COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s judiciary is facing a severe staff shortage with 2,647 vacancies remaining unfilled due to the absence of recruitment since 2018, authorities revealed, prompting Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to order officials to expedite the recruitment process.
The issue came to light during a recent meeting of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Advisory Committee, chaired by Minister Nanayakkara, an attorney-at-law.
During the meeting, the committee approved an order issued under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act No. 25 of 2002. The order, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2470/04 dated January 5, 2026, was presented to Parliament on May 19, 2026.
The committee also reviewed an agreement signed in July 2025 between the Governments of Sri Lanka and the Maldives aimed at strengthening mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
According to the gazette notification, the agreement provides for cooperation in combating terrorism-related offences, including the identification, freezing, confiscation and forfeiture of proceeds and instrumentalities linked to terrorism financing.
The arrangement also seeks to enhance collaboration in the prevention, investigation, prosecution and suppression of criminal offences through mutual legal assistance mechanisms between the two countries.
Officials further highlighted a range of operational shortcomings affecting courts, prisons and the wider justice sector.
In response, Minister Nanayakkara instructed officials to take immediate measures to address the deficiencies and implement solutions without delay.
-ENCL
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