Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2018-01-30

Establishment of a Special High Court to inquire into cases pertaining to allegations of bribery and corruption and extremely complex financial crimes, expeditiously

- Approval of the Cabinet has been granted to amend the Judicature Act, No.2 of 1978 for the purpose of establishing a dedicated three Bench High Court to inquire into cases expeditiously pertaining to allegations of bribery and corruption and extremely complex financial crimes. Accordingly, in terms of the Draft Bill prepared, the Attorney General or the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) will file indictment in respect of the specified offences therein, in the proposed three Bench High Court. The particulars such as the nature of the relevant offences, the gravity, the complexity, the effect on the State or the victims, the national interest etc., incidental thereto, as the case may be, will be taken in to consideration subject to a formal methodology.

The Cabinet noted the matters submitted by Hon. Thalatha Atukorala, the Minister of Justice, to publish the Draft Bill prepared to amend the Judicature Act, No.2 of 1978, providing for the establishment of the three Bench High Court, in the Government Gazette and subsequently, to present it in Parliament, for approval.