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Chief Justice promises to fast-track digitalized method of administration of justice
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The newly appointed Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena pledged to fast-track the digitization of the Court system throughout the country and urged all stakeholders to join hands to support the endeavour.
In remarks delivered during the Ceremonial Sitting held to welcome him as the 49th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on Thursday, Chief Justice Surasena stated that the time has come to adopt more advance methods to upgrade the quality of the system of administration of justice in Sri Lanka. “The most advanced methods in this era are electronically advanced methods. The electronic method relevant to legal profession is digitalized method of administration of justice. There is currently no other more advanced method than that,” he asserted.
Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena
He added that he has already had several discussions with the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and as regards proposed digitization, both of them are on the same wave length. The CJ said he had also had several meetings with Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and reminded that he had previously worked with both Minister Nanayakkara and Secretary to the Justice Ministry Ayesha Jinasena. “I have previously worked with both the Hon. Minister and the Secretary Justice. We are not strangers to each other,” he said, adding that he has already indicated to the Justice Minister, Ministry Secretary and BASL President that he has no problem working closely with them.
“All of us want to ensure that our system is changed into a more advanced system which must be advanced enough to be recognised by all, as an efficient system in the country. In the circumstances of the good working relationship I have already adverted to, would there be a better time than this to achieve all what we want to achieve? None of us in these respective positions took up office to fight with the other unto death of the other,” the CJ observed.
Most of the other countries which deliver quality justice have automated their administration of Justice systems, CJ Surasena pointed out. “There is no reason as to why we should not. The Government is prepared to provide funds; other relevant stake holders are ready to assist. Then why is it not happening? Simply because we are not taking the initiative. In the context of electronic era, if we do not adopt these systems, we will not be able to upgrade the quality of administering justice in this country; we will not be able to manage time; the litigants will not be able to save big amounts of money spent for paper work; and we will not be able to enjoy doing many things relevant to our profession from the computer itself without having to go out of our chambers,” he warned.
“I will fast-track the digitization of the Court system throughout the country. That is what the BASL wants; that is what the Hon. Minister wants; that is what the Government wants; that is what the litigants want. If you want different results, start making different choices. If we keep doing what we are currently doing, we are surely going to keep getting what we are getting. If you want something you have never had, then you have got to do something you have never done,” he emphasised.
He urged those present to work together and proceed with this endeavour, expressing confidence that such a transformation will also eradicate, the persisting problems of laws delays and corruption in some court registries in the country. “Such a system will enhance efficiency and productivity which would ultimately lead to the achievement of an efficient system of administration of justice. After all people will chose litigation as a means of settling their disputes only if that process is clear, just, speedy and economical.”
Welcoming the new CJ, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr.), P.C. said that the bold decision by Justice Surasena, as a Supreme Court Jusitice, to issue an Interim Order in 2024 against the Ministry of Finance and Treasury Secretary to release funds to hold the Provincial Council elections was hailed by many an analyst as a great victory for democracy. Similarly, the more recent ruling given by Justice Surasena, presiding in a Five-Judge Bench, holding that the High Court Trial-at-Bar had erred in acquitting former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and Hemasiri Fernando without calling for their defence, is seen as a very significant contemporary judicial pronouncement, he added. “These judgments are bound to influence the legal landscape for a considerable period of time.”
The prestige and the standing which the judiciary enjoys today is the cumulative effect of high traditions built up and sacredly preserved by a succession of Judges for a long period of time, the AG noted. “Litigants, including the State, should not regard decisions against them as unfriendly acts and they should abide by the Judgement of the final Court,” he remarked.
“The ethos of Independence and Impartiality Your Lordship fostered and preserved is part of the rich legacy with which Your Lordship will, no doubt, embellish the office of the Chief Justice in this great institution,” he told the CJ.
Technological advancements have now lowered the barrier to courtroom innovation, said BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said. “Where live transcription and digital documentation were once cumbersome, today they are accessible and user-friendly. For instance, even the virtual platforms we currently use, maybe enhanced. Upgraded versions now offer AI-powered note-taking features that can generate transcripts with the main points from proceedings,” he further said.
“Such tools are now within reach; what remains is the will to deploy them meaningfully, and I believe that Your Lordship has that will to lead this transformation,” he told Justice Surasena. “Change must be felt across the length and breadth of our Republic, in every Magistrate’s Court and District Court and every appellate bench. It is the view of the Bar that technology will give us that opportunity,” Mr. Amarasuriya emphasised.
(See sundaytimes.lk for full speeches)
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