News
Gazette issued to set up second Special High Court
View(s):The second of the three proposed Permanent High Courts Trial-at-Bar will be set up in Colombo shortly to fast track cases related to serious frauds, corruption and other high profile crimes, the Government has announced.
The gazette notification in this regard was issued by the Justice Ministry this week. The first permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar began sittings on August 21.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General has decided to indict five persons in the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar for illegally keeping elephants in their custody without a licence and for trafficking in animals.
They are to be charged under the Public Property Act and the Penal Code.
Among those to be indicted are S. Niraj Roshan a.k.a. ‘Ali Roshan”, an assistant director of the Wildlife Conservation Department, and a clerk. The officials are suspected of tampering with the Elephant Registry maintained by the Wildlife Conservation Department. Former Magistrate Thilina Gamage who is currently on bail will also be indicted for rearing an elephant without a licence.
The permanent High Courts Trial-at-Bar are being set up under an amendment to the Judicature Act, enabling trials before them following indictments by the Attorney General or the Director General for the Prevention of Bribery or Corruption. Hearings will be held and concluded expeditiously with evidence being recorded from day to day, to ensure expeditious disposal.