Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-01-24 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No.15 of 1979

- Upon the recognition that it is not fair for the accused or appellants to languish in custody for a long period of time in addition to their period of sentence owing to the law's delays, approval of the Cabinet has been granted at the Meeting held on 2023‑02‑20 to amend the sections 323(5) and 333(5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, enabling to be considered the time spent in custody by the accused/appellant be remitted from the period of imprisonment required under his jail sentence. Accordingly, a Bill has been drafted by the Legal Draftsman and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the same. The proposal made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to publish the said Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter, present the same in Parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet.