News
Shocking number of child abuse and rape cases overwhelm Lanka’s Magistrates’ Courts
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe last week revealed a distressing truth that nearly one-third of the cases awaiting resolution in Magistrates’ courts throughout the country involve child abuse and rape. Expressing deep concern, the Minister urged Sri Lankans to feel a sense of shame and regret over this alarming situation that tarnishes the nation’s reputation.
Out of the 29,723 lawsuits currently pending before the Magistrates’ Courts, a staggering 5,550 cases relate to child abuse, while 4,312 cases involve rape. Shockingly, these horrific offenses collectively account for 33 percent of the total cases. Minister Rajapakshe emphasized the need for immediate action to combat these wrongdoings, which not only inflict harm on victims but also reflect poorly on the cultural values of the nation, as they are exposed to the scrutiny of other countries.
Minister Rajapakshe underscored the government’s efforts to protect children, stating that 25 laws aimed at ensuring their safety had been enacted by Parliament in the past ten months. However, he also acknowledged that cases of murder, attempted murder, and dangerous drugs constitute a significant portion of the pending cases, totaling 6,661, or roughly 22 percent of the total.
Disturbingly, the Minister revealed that child abuse, rape, murder, attempted murder, and dangerous drugs cases collectively make up 55 percent of the total cases before the Magistrates’ Courts, further highlighting the urgent need to address these grave issues.
Furthermore, the Minister drew attention to the staggering backlog in the judicial system, with a total of 1,127,265 cases pending across Sri Lanka. He expressed concern over the insufficient number of judges available to handle this overwhelming caseload, with a mere 399 judges assigned from the Supreme Court to the Magistrates’ Courts.
The Minister’s revelations have sparked outrage and concern among the public, signaling the pressing need for comprehensive and effective measures to combat child abuse, rape, and other serious crimes. It is imperative for the government, law enforcement agencies, and society as a whole to join forces to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for the victims. Immediate action must be taken to strengthen laws, increase resources, and promote awareness to create a safer environment for all Sri Lankans, free from the specter of such heinous offenses.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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