2026-02-20 / Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court, Colombo (Q.No. 1/2025) 2026-02-20
## Summary
The Minister of Justice and National Integration provided a detailed written response to a parliamentary question regarding the Permanent High Court at Bar, established under Section 127A(1)(a) of the Judicature (Amendment) Act, No. 9 of 2018, which came into effect on 4 July 2018. The Minister reported that the two courts have collectively handled a limited caseload — six concluded and four pending cases — with activity concentrated in 2018–2019 and minimal filings thereafter until 2024–2025, including a pending bail matter involving Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The Minister indicated that no cases have been concluded in the courts currently active, with the next hearing dates scheduled into 2026. Looking ahead, the Government anticipates a significant increase in case filings following the re-establishment of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division and enhanced action by the Bribery Commission, alongside plans to establish seven new High Courts — five within and two outside the Hulftsdorp complex — with flexible bench arrangements, expected to be operational by mid-year.
Mr. Speaker, the answers are as follows.
(a)
(i) The Judicature (Amendment) Act, No. 9 of 2018 — Section 127A(1)(a).
(ii) 4 July 2018.
(iii)
- Permanent High Court at Bar — Court No. 01:
- Pending cases: 02
- Concluded cases: 04
- Permanent High Court at Bar — Court No. 02:
- Pending cases: 02 (including Case No. 01 concerning bail of Mahindananda Aluthgamage)
- Concluded cases: 01
(iv) Number of cases presented per year:
- 2018: Court 01 — 3; Court 02 — 0
- 2019: Court 01 — 2; Court 02 — 2
- 2020: Court 01 — 0; Court 02 — 0
- 2021: Court 01 — 0; Court 02 — 0
- 2022: Court 01 — 0; Court 02 — 0
- 2023: Court 01 — 0; Court 02 — 0
- 2024: Court 01 — 1; Court 02 — 0
- 2025: Court 01 — 0; Court 02 — 1
(b)
(i) No. According to the letter dated 10.02.2026 from Permanent High Court at Bar No. 1 to this Ministry, the cases currently active are as follows:
- HC/PTB/01/05/2019 — next date: 26.03.2026
- HC/PTB/02/01/2025 — next date: 11.02.2026
- HC/PTB/02/01/2019 — next date: 11.05.2026
(ii) The Government expects that, with the re-establishment of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of Sri Lanka Police and with the Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption acting under the Bribery Act, a substantial number of cases will be filed. Pursuant to the Judicial Service Commission’s communication dated 29.09.2025, one such court has commenced, and another is proposed to be established. Further, five new High Courts will be established within the Hulftsdorp court complex and two outside, making seven in total. Those courts will have the flexibility for benches to sit as trial-at-bar where required or as single-judge High Courts. We expect to expedite proceedings, with these measures in place by the middle of this year.
(c) Does not arise.