The government has decided to establish a position called the Director of Government Criminal Cases (Prosecutor) to handle criminal prosecutions separately from the Attorney General’s Department. This role previously existed between 1970 and 1977, during which it was held by Ranjith Abeysuriya and Kenneth Seneviratne. However, in 1977, the J.R. Jayewardene administration abolished the post, citing concerns that it had become politicized.
With the reintroduction of this position, criminal cases will be handled by the Director of Government Criminal Cases, while the Attorney General will continue to oversee civil cases. This move is expected to align Sri Lanka’s legal framework with international standards, as many countries have similar structures to ensure greater transparency and independence in criminal prosecutions.
To facilitate the establishment of this post, the government has proposed forming a committee to carry out the necessary preliminary work. The committee will include key figures from the legal and judicial sectors, such as the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, a senior judicial judge, a representative from the Attorney General’s Department, and the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka or a nominee chosen by them.
However, a senior spokesperson from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka stated that the association has not yet reached full agreement on the appointment of the Director of Government Criminal Cases. The association is expected to formally announce its position on the matter soon. While the decision aims to bring structural reforms to the country’s legal system, there are concerns regarding the potential for political influence over the new prosecutorial office.
