Sri Lanka allocates Rs. 150 million to e-Court project
EconomyNext: Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to allocate 150 million rupees for e-Court project which will digitalize the island nation’s judiciary system as a national priority strategy, the government said.
“As the first phase of the digital transformation process, the Supreme Court is successfully implementing a website and an electronic system for managing its case files at present,” the government said in its Cabinet Decisions document.
“The e-Court Project is expected to adapt and use the website and e-CMS system developed for the Supreme Court to all courts across the island, including the Court of Appeal, the Judicial Service Commission, the Institute of Judges.”
“It is planned to establish a national judicial data network and it will help to overcome the long-term problems of case delays, lack of data transparency, and procedural inefficiencies that hinder timely access to justice faced by the country’s judicial system.”
The government said the implementation of the project is in line with the IMF’s reform agenda 2026-2030 Public Investment Program and the Clean Sri Lanka Strategy.
The Cabinet approved to provide a provision of 150 million rupees to the Judicial Service Commission from the provisions allocated under the Clean Sri Lanka Project.
Sri Lanka’s judiciary has long grappled with chronic delays in legal proceedings, often attributed to an overburdened system reliant on outdated manual processes, including paper-based filings, physical document handling, and in-person hearings that exacerbate inefficiencies.
The absence of a comprehensive digital infrastructure such as widespread e-filing, virtual court sessions, and integrated case management systems has contributed significantly to a massive backlog.
Reports indicate over a million pending cases as recently as 2022, including thousands lingering for 5-10 years or more, and criminal cases historically averaging up to 17 years for resolution.
This lack of digitization not only amplifies procedural bottlenecks, frequent adjournments, and resource constraints but also deters foreign investment by prolonging contract enforcement and undermines public trust in timely justice.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka is currently engaged in an aggressive digitization drive covering all sectors of the country. The programme is aimed at transforming the country into a digital economy to meet the increasing demands of an emerging business destination in the region. The business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors therefore are lucrative ventures that promises further expansion as well. Sri Lanka’s need to be on par with the fast-evolving global digital industry and the growth as well as profits recorded by businesses already engaged in the country’s digital industry indicates the increasing business potential in the industry and related sectors. This is also a reason for many leading foreign businesses in the digital industry to explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors. Given these developments, foreign businesses/investors could explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors while also looking at expanding operations through partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses already engaged in the industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20251219/Z_4 |