Sri Lanka Allocates Rs. 150 Million for National e-Court Project

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to allocate 150 million rupees to the e-Court project, a national priority aimed at digitalizing Sri Lanka’s judiciary system to eliminate chronic delays and improve transparency.

Project Scope and Implementation:

• Scale-up: The project will expand the existing electronic case management system (e-CMS) currently used by the Supreme Court to all courts across the island, including:

  • The Court of Appeal

  • The Judicial Service Commission

  • The Institute of Judges

• National Judicial Data Network: A new network will be established to provide a centralized hub for case files, aimed at solving long-standing issues such as lack of data transparency and procedural inefficiencies.

• Funding Source: The Rs. 150 million provision will be provided to the Judicial Service Commission from funds allocated under the “Clean Sri Lanka Project.”

Strategic Importance:

• Reform Agenda: The project aligns with the IMF’s 2026-2030 Public Investment Program and the government’s broader digital transformation strategy.

• Tackling Backlogs: As of 2022, Sri Lanka faced a backlog of over one million pending cases, with criminal trials historically averaging 17 years for resolution. The digitalization effort—including e-filing and virtual hearings—is expected to significantly reduce these timelines.

• Economic Impact: By streamlining contract enforcement and legal proceedings, the government hopes to restore public trust and improve the climate for foreign investment.

Source: EconomyNext – Sri Lanka e-Court Project Funding