Cabinet nod for Draft Bill on Amendment to Criminal Procedure Code

June 4, 2024 at 3:17 PM

Cabinet approval has been granted to publish in the Government Gazette notification and subsequently, submit to Parliament for approval the Draft Bill on the Amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code. 

The government states Cabinet approval was granted in March 2023 to amend the criminal procedure code so that the methodology of coming into agreement on offence can be introduced into the legal framework of Sri Lanka. 

According to the proposed amendment, an agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant is made instead of appearing before a trial, and as a result, a recommendation can be obtained to reduce the penalty, fine or compensation. 

Approval was given for the amendment to solve criminal cases sooner, reducing the bulk of cases by minimizing delays in judicial activities, as well as reducing the congestion in prisons.

Clearance of the Attorney General has been granted to the proposed bill formulated by the Legal Draftsmen. 

As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice to publish the draft bill in the government gazette notification and submit it to the Parliament for approval. (Newswire)