Sri Lanka Telecom introduces virtual hearing solution to country’s commercial high courts
Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has reportedly extended its expertise to the country’s Commercial High Courts with the introduction of a new Virtual Hearing Solution.
According to reports, the new online platform was developed by Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) in partnership with the Colombo Law Library.
This new online platform is to ensure that Courts continue functioning unhindered by COVID-19 or any other similar crisis in the future and the online system will function as a ‘virtual courthouse,’ and will permit cases to be heard remotely with the use of Video Conferencing technology, minimizing the number of people frequenting courthouses, local media reports stated.
The Virtual Hearing Solution will have separate interfaces for judges and lawyers. It has been developed as a user-friendly package ensuring that the practise followed in courthouses is aptly digitized, giving lawyers an easy transition from the present routine at court, the Daily News has noted.
Upon registration, lawyers will be presented options to enter a Virtual Court Room of Choice that leads to a Video Conference Interface with the Judges of the respective courts, which will be visible to all. When a case is called, Counsels related to the case will then permitted to present themselves on video and audio to the Judge to make their case while permitted attendees will also be allowed to join the hearing to view and listen to the court proceedings. A broadcast of the same will also be made available to the public if required.
The Virtual Hearing Solution facilitates Smart Scheduling, Identity and Access Management for Authentication and E-notices (Before the Hearing); Video conferencing, recording and document uploads (During the Hearing); and Transcript Access and Case Status Updates (After the Hearing), thus ensuring that all aspects of case hearings are catered to.
Group Chairman of SLT Rohan Fernando has been quoted as saying, “We understand the necessity for ensuring that contact between people is minimized as the country gets accustomed to living in this age of social distancing. We recognized the need to enable the judicial department to deliver its services effectively and the public to access these services without difficulty. As the telecommunication service provider to the nation, we felt it was our duty to provide a solution to this dilemma and we hope this facilitates a smoother, minimal risk platform for the High Courts.”
Colombo Law Library Secretary Shivan Coorey has said, “When COVID-19 struck Sri Lanka in March 2020, we were forced to think outside the box. We knew that the solution had to be IT-based, we knew of other countries running on IT-based platforms but we never knew that it could be a reality for us. Upon meeting with the head and management of SLT I realized that there is some hope. A way out. The Colombo Law Library approached SLT asking for assistance they without any hesitation helped us. This might be an eye-opener in some way to all of us. Firstly, to make a change. Secondly, to realize that Sri Lanka CAN. Thirdly, that any challenge can be overcome with positive attitudes.”
OSL take:
The new normal environment created by the global Covid 19 pandemic the world over has also had an impact on in Sri Lanka. This has had a positive impact in Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors. Sri Lankan authorities are keen on transforming the country in to an e-economy and therefore require the introduction digital platforms covering all key economic sectors in the country. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/19112020/Z_1 |