Ensure speedy assistance to those who approach the Judiciary: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena said attention should be paid to ensuring speedy justice to the people who seek the assistance of the judiciary. He said we have also to consider the cost incurred by those who seek legal redress.

The President made these remarks yesterday at the launching of the book “Yali Mevena Aparadayak (A Crime Re-created) written by the Additional Solicitor General Sarath Jayamanne PC.

We have to think again whether the people including politicians, government officers, those who engaged in legal profession, religious leaders and the ordinary citizens were fulfilling their responsibilities

“Although the words such as democracy, freedom, similar opportunities, human rights and fundamental rights are popular, we should think about how far the people can achieve these practically, due to the cost the poor people have to pay for them,” the President said.

He said we have to think again whether the people including politicians, government officers, those who engaged in legal profession, religious leaders and the ordinary citizens were fulfilling their responsibilities. “If everybody fulfills their responsibility we will not have issues in society”, he said. “A number of pressing issues come to my mind every time when I interact with legal eagles like you whereas how long it takes for an average citizen to get legal redress from a court of law in our country? There are instances where the final verdict of a court case comes to the second or third generation of the person who first filed the case which is highly unfair. Therefore, we all must put in place a mechanism sooner than later to prevent laws delays in our courts because, J‘ ustice Delayed is Justice Denied’.”

The President said we talk much about democracy, justice and fair play but the administration of law has become a trade that is inaccessible to the poor.

He said we must work together to put an end to this sorry state of affairs in our legal system.

President Sirisena commended Mr. Jayamanna for his professionalism and efficiency in performing his duties

The first copy was presented to the President by Mr. Jayamanne.buddha Sasana and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, the Chief Justice and the Attorney General were also present.