⚖️ Sri Lanka's Criminal Cases Take Over 10 Years to Conclude on Average

A single cycle of a criminal case in Sri Lanka takes an average of 10 years and two months to conclude, highlighting deep-rooted delays in the country's justice system, according to Supreme Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda. • Systemic Caseload: More than 1.1 million cases are currently pending before the country’s courts. • Infrastructure Deficit: The massive caseload is handled by just 333 courts nationwide. If distributed evenly, each court would be responsible for managing more than 3,300 cases. • Court Breakdown: The 333 courts comprise 80 magistrates’ courts, 2 child magistrates’ courts, 64 district courts, 94 combined district and magistrates’ courts, 53 High Courts, 5 commercial High Courts, 23 civil appellate High Courts, alongside the Court of Appeal (7 judges) and the Supreme Court (5 divisions). • Impact on Economy & Reforms: The limited capacity of judges, legal officers, and support staff directly impacts the speed of justice. Citing a 2013 survey, Justice Kodagoda noted that a burglary reported today would only see its first phase conclude by August 2036, emphasizing an urgent need for structural reforms to improve efficiency, which is vital for the country's legal infrastructure and overall business environment.