Speaker endorses certificate on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, yesterday (18) in Parliament.

This Bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 was presented to Parliament for its first reading on 08.04.2025 and the second reading debate was held on 23.05.2025. Subsequently, the Bill was passed in Parliament after its third reading on 2025.06.04.

Accordingly, this Bill shall come into force as the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act No. 7 of 2025.

The main provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. 7 of 2025 is to modernize court proceedings by allowing suspects and accused persons to attend hearings remotely instead of in person. Magistrates and High Court judges can excuse physical attendance for reasons like threats to safety, public health emergencies, or quarantine. In such cases, the person must be represented by a lawyer and can join via live video and audio. 

The Act also allows witnesses to testify remotely from anywhere, but requires physical appearance for first court appearances, claims of torture or human rights violations, or mental health concerns. It sets out procedures for remote hearings, including appointing commissioners, ensuring identification, and handling electronic documents and costs. The Act aims to digitize the criminal justice system while maintaining legal safeguards.