1.1 million cases pending in courts: Supreme Court Judge Yasantha Kodagoda

03-Jul-2026

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Supreme Court Judge Yasantha Kodagoda has revealed that nearly 1.1 million cases are currently pending across Sri Lanka's judicial system and stressed the need to promote alternative dispute resolution to reduce the growing backlog.

He made these remarks while addressing an event organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in Homagama on July 1.

Justice Kodagoda said the large number of pending cases continues to undermine public confidence in the justice system.

He noted that Sri Lanka has a total of 333 courts, from the lower courts to the Supreme Court, and that cases remain pending at every level.

According to him, some cases take more than ten years to conclude, making judicial reform an urgent necessity.

He said the time has come to implement effective conflict resolution mechanisms to ease the burden on the courts.

The Judge also shared an example involving the late Lakshman Kadirgamar. He said that when Kadirgamar required a kidney transplant, a Buddhist monk had volunteered to donate a kidney. However, the monk reportedly sought Rs. 900,000 to cover legal expenses incurred in pursuing a murder case involving his brother.

Justice Kodagoda said the family had already sold their land and, having no other assets left, the monk had even considered selling his kidney to meet legal costs.

He observed that some people are driven to such desperate measures simply to pay lawyers' fees.

The Judge noted that neither the Government nor the Supreme Court has the authority to regulate legal fees. Therefore, he appealed to lawyers to charge reasonable fees based on their conscience.

He also urged lawyers to provide free legal assistance to those who cannot afford legal representation and to ensure that justice remains accessible to everyone.