INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs - Constitutional Reforms, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has unveiled plans to introduce a new legislative
framework aimed at regulating microfinance institutions operating within the country.Expressing deep concern regarding the unregulated
status of certain microfinance entities, the lawmaker emphasized the necessity for decisive measures.He underscored the intention to
establish an independent regulatory institution, distinct from the Central Bank, dedicated to the oversight and effective regulation of
operational responsibilities of 21 institutions, encompassing a diverse range of subjects, including law enforcement and law reform
With a caseload exceeding 1.1 million in the courts across the country, concerted efforts have been undertaken in recent times to mitigate
delays in case adjudication.He added that substantial measures have been implemented to address the backlog and streamline the judicial
process, with a particular focus on the establishment and operation of conciliation boards aimed at facilitating the expeditious resolution
of select cases.The minister further stated that globally recognized expedited methods for resolving criminal cases stand in contrast to our
He said the delay in criminal proceedings represents a substantial issue, jeopardizing the administration of justice and leaving all parties
involved without timely recourse.Rajapakshe mentioned that in order to address this challenge, a draft law aimed at expediting the
jurisdictions, there is a paradigm shift towards non-custodial measures for individuals involved in minor offenses
Recognizing that incarceration, in many instances, is not the most suitable recourse, the new legal framework being proposed aims to explore
Notably, some individuals find themselves incarcerated due to societal oversights, and the proposed legislation acknowledges this by
providing avenues for release on bail conditions
This approach aims to strike a balance between societal concerns and individual liberties, fostering a more nuanced and equitable criminal
Rajapakshe highlighted that investigations for 4,795 complaints have successfully been concluded, reflecting a substantial improvement in
case resolution which stood at 62 by the time he assumed duties
All outstanding complaints lodged with the Office of Missing Persons are slated for resolution by the coming year, the minister added.In
addition, to fortify and enhance the efficiency of the judicial process, Rajapakshe said a comprehensive set of eight new bills is set to be
politicians do not play a direct role
The activities of these societal initiatives, referred to as reconciliation societies, are guided by the preferences of elders and religious
leaders within the respective villages
The responsibilities encompass the independent execution of tasks such as infrastructure development, including road construction and
events and cultural celebrations, fostering a sense of community ownership and participation
The overarching vision is to seamlessly integrate each Grama Seva Division into a unified network, operating independently from external
The reconciliation society is entrusted with safeguarding the welfare and interests of the village, thereby ensuring the preservation and
affected by various factors
buses, transformers and over 25 courts, have significantly impacted the economic landscape
to economic challenges is the unregulated proliferation of microfinance institutions, perceived as a substantial concern in the country
The absence of legal frameworks and regulatory oversight, coupled with the lack of registration with the Central Bank, has created an
environment where individuals find it challenging to secure loans through conventional financial institutions due to their stringent rules
pressing need to establish a dedicated regulatory body, separate from the Central Bank, to oversee and govern microfinance institutions
Efforts are underway to introduce comprehensive laws aimed at regulating these entities and mitigating the potential adverse effects they
The goal is to instate a regulatory framework that ensures responsible and accountable practices within the microfinance sector, thereby
