The government has highlighted what it describes as a series of judicial reforms, including the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, as part of its efforts to strengthen judicial independence, reduce the backlog of cases and build a more effective justice system.

Addressing the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Sumith Dassanayake, has said the new government had recognised challenges within the country’s judicial and prison systems and was taking measures to address them.

Dassanayake said the present government remained committed to judicial independence and had introduced reforms aimed at strengthening the courts, expediting cases and reducing the backlog of cases.

Ambassador Dassanayake said that the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution sought to strengthen the judicial system by addressing issues relating to the retirement age of judges, retaining experienced judicial professionals and further strengthening the capacity of the courts.

The reforms, the Ambassador said, are intended to ensure that judicial expertise is retained within the system while enabling courts to deal more effectively with the large number of pending cases.

The Ambassador said the government was also taking steps to address challenges in the prison system, including overcrowding, as part of wider judicial and prison-sector reforms.

Sri Lanka’s emphasis on judicial reform came as the government responded to the latest written update of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council session.

Dassanayake said Sri Lanka had taken note of the OHCHR update and reaffirmed the country’s continued engagement with the Human Rights Council.

He urged the Council to assess Sri Lanka’s situation in a balanced, objective and constructive manner, while taking into account the measures being undertaken by the present government.

“We respectfully urge the Council that Sri Lanka’s situation be assessed in a balanced, objective and constructive manner, in keeping with the principles governing the Council, and that Sri Lanka be supported in its efforts to create a just society,” he said.

The Ambassador said the new Government had taken steps to create a just and fair country, despite external pressures, while pursuing an agenda aimed at promoting reconciliation.

He also said Sri Lanka had not supported Resolution 6/1, including the extension of the mandate relating to an external evidence mechanism, arguing that such a system could create divisions among communities and undermine the country’s reconciliation process.

Dassanayake said the government had continued to work with UN agencies on reconciliation-related initiatives during the past year.

He also outlined other measures being pursued by the government, including plans to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with new legislation, as well as proposed amendments to the Online Safety Act.

Steps are also being taken through the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations to address outstanding issues, he said.

The Ambassador referred to measures relating to the release of land, valuation and compensation, as well as proposed amendments to immigration laws to facilitate the return of refugees to Sri Lanka.

He stressed that the government remained committed to taking action against alleged unlawful conduct regardless of the status or rank of those involved.

He also reiterated the government’s position that there should be no room for the resurgence of extremism or racial division in Sri Lanka.

The present government, he said, remains committed to fulfilling its obligations and called for continued international engagement that supports the country’s efforts towards justice, reconciliation and institutional reform.

The remarks were made as the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council began in Geneva, with Sri Lanka’s human rights record, reconciliation process and accountability remaining among the issues receiving international attention.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said that Sri Lanka and India would sign three agreements on defence cooperation today (09) during the official visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The agreements will cover cadet training and joint programmes, cooperation between the two countries’ defence colleges and the free maintenance of 24 40 mm L70 anti-aircraft weapons supplied by India to Sri Lanka during the 2000 to 2006 period.

Remanded SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday accused the government of misleading the public with unfulfilled promises and urged it to focus on reducing the cost of living and easing the economic hardships faced by the people.

Addressing Parliament after being brought from remand custody, Rajapaksa said the government had come to power promising to address the problems of farmers and ensure a reasonable price for paddy, but had failed to deliver on those pledges.

“During this period, 400,000 metric tonnes of rice have been imported,” he said.

He also raised concerns over the impact of drought conditions, claiming that water levels in 74 major reservoirs had fallen by 34 percent of their capacity. Villagers in some areas, he said, were struggling to obtain drinking water, with some having to wait 20 to 25 days for supplies.

Rajapaksa also questioned whether the Government had fulfilled promises made to people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, including compensation for damaged roofs and other property. He called on the Government to honour its pledge to provide US$1 million in assistance to disaster-hit Nepal, warning that failing to keep commitments to the international community would damage Sri Lanka’s reputation.

He criticised proposed tougher road-use regulations, saying the Government should first consider how practical the measures would be.

Turning to education, Rajapaksa accused the Government of failing to honour its pledge to establish 50 new universities, claiming that its actions had so far been limited to laying foundation stones for two-storey school buildings.

He also criticised the Government’s handling of the health sector, saying it had promised to improve the doctor-patient ratio but had instead become embroiled in disputes with the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

“Today there are no life-saving medicines in hospitals,” he alleged, while claiming that dengue cases had reached 100,000. He also criticised President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for advising people to drink coriander (koththamalli) rather than seeking hospital treatment.

“How long are you going to run this country on lies? Keep in mind that empty lies will not solve the problems of the people,” Rajapaksa said.

Rajapaksa was brought to Parliament in a prison bus at around 9.20 am, under special security arrangements, to attend the parliamentary sitting.

Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesman Senaka Pallathenna, said Rajapaksa had been brought to Parliament at the request of the Speaker.

The Secretary General of Parliament had written to the Commissioner General of Prisons the previous day requesting arrangements for Rajapaksa to attend parliamentary proceedings.

Rajapaksa, who is in remand custody in connection with an ongoing case, declined to comment on his situation when journalists questioned him at the Parliament entrance, saying he would make his statement inside the chamber.

Notably, he made no reference to his arrest or the case during his parliamentary speech.