Criminal Procedure Code to be amended to hear cases through video technology

The Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, said that an amendment will be brought to the Criminal Procedure Code to allow special categories of prisoners to give evidence through video technology, and that the amendment has been prepared and submitted to the Cabinet.

Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that the government has planned to incorporate the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and pass it by March-April 2025.
Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara stated this while responding to a question raised in Parliament by New Democratic Front Kalutara District Parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardena, seeking an oral answer.

Speaking further, Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that after the adoption of these amendments, it will be possible to obtain evidence from a person in a foreign country through video technology, and such a system can prevent incidents like the incident that occurred at the Aluthkade court premises in Colombo.
The Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, pointed out that there are 5218 prison employees in the country covering 31 institutions and there are currently 29,000 inmates within the prison system.

He further stated that there are currently three times the number of inmates within this court system as compared to the number that can be detained, due to which there is a heavy workload, the wards available for the inmates are not sufficient, and this congestion is more prevalent in the Colombo area.