Galle lawyers reject wasteful, multi-billion rupee court idea
A move to shift the law courts in Galle to Boossa to a proposed Rs 2.5 billion building 12 kilometres away is being opposed by lawyers, while a new complex costing more than Rs 650 million is nearing completion.
A new courts complex on a three- acre plot was approved in 2013, but the project came into effect three years later. The site is one- and- a- half kilometres away from the Galle town.
More than 75% of the construction is complete and has cost Rs 400 million so far.
The new, four- storey complex will have facilities for all courts, an administrative building area, and consultation rooms for lawyers.
According to a report to the Minister of Home Affairs Vajira Abeywardena, who also represents the Galle district, there was consensus among lawyers for the project. However, while construction was underway, a proposal was made by the Government to build a new courts complex in Boossa, 12km north of the Galle town. This would take another two to three years to build.
Some lawyers practising in Galle have already handed over a report to Mr Abeywardena and Justice Minister Thalatha Authukorala, objecting to the new project claiming that it would be a waste of money and time.
The lawyers in their report also pointed out security concerns arising from its location near military complexes, and armouries.
The concerns were discussed recently in the presence of the ministers for Home Affairs, and Justice.
Mr. Abeywardena had defended the project saying that it was not only a matter of shifting the courts complex, but also giving way for the Galle city development project.
But, lawyers opposing the idea said that among the disadvantages would be distance and the inconvenience to the public.
They have proposed that if the area for the existing project was not sufficient they could acquire adjoining plots, which belong to the Irrigation Department and the Public Trustee. Private lands could also be purchased.
The Sunday Times learns that Mr Abeywardena had proposed handing over the building under construction to the Provincial Council, but the lawyers had pointed out that it was also wrong.
Mr Abeywardena told the Sunday Times that the existing site does not allow for expansion, while the new project has space for 300 lawyers and a conference room with 2,000 seating capacity.
He said that the shifting of the courts complex would also resolve parking issues.
Mr Abeywardena said that there were plans to divert traffic from Galle Road through a new road network between Mahamodara to Hikkaduwa via Beddegama thereby bypassing Galle town.
“We can attract more foreign tourists by minimising their travel time to reach Hikkaduwa from Galle,’’ he said.
He said the Government plans to have 70 Grama Sevaka divisions instead of the existing 50.
Mrs Athukorala, said a final decision about the proposed Bossa complex had not been taken, while the Beligaha project in Galle is being built.