Investigation Into Enforced Disappearances to Begin Early This Year
03-Jan-2026.
Minister of Justice Harishan Nanayakkara stated that steps will be taken to commence investigations into complaints related to enforced disappearances at the very beginning of the year. He also announced that arrangements will be made next month to ensure that all forms required by the public to access government services are available in all three official languages.
The Minister made these remarks while addressing staff after taking oaths at the New Year commencement ceremony at the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, held on 1 January.
He stated that as Sri Lanka enters 2026, the government has set a clear direction: to build a stable and inclusive nation. The Ministry of Justice, he said, aligns with this national effort in three key ways.
First is rebuilding institutional structures. He emphasized the need to transform the justice system from one the public fears into one it trusts. While delayed justice amounts to denied justice, he warned that flawed justice destroys justice entirely. Accordingly, the Ministry will strengthen digital processes for case management, improve coordination among law enforcement and justice institutions, and promote evidence-based and rational decision-making.
He further noted that by the end of the year, court proceedings are expected to be fully digitalized, and discussions will be held to reduce delays in issuing chemical analysis reports. Priority will also be given to introducing necessary laws to enhance the efficiency of justice administration, reduce prison overcrowding, and upgrade physical infrastructure.
Second is rebuilding social trust through national unity. The Minister said recent disaster experiences had demonstrated that unity saves lives. National unity, he stressed, must become a daily practice. Ensuring fair language access, equal service delivery, dignified law enforcement, and inclusive policymaking will be prioritized.
He explained that when citizens feel heard in their own language, treated equally under the law, and protected regardless of identity, national unity is being practiced in real terms. Accordingly, investigations into complaints of enforced disappearances will begin early in the year, alongside measures to provide trilingual access to all essential government forms.
Third is rebuilding institutional culture. Describing this as the most difficult yet most crucial task, the Minister said institutional culture is about doing the right thing even when no one is watching. It reflects how authority is exercised, how responsibility is shared, and how mistakes are acknowledged and corrected. A strong institutional culture, he said, is built on trust, discipline, and dignity.
He concluded by stating that in 2026, the public service must move toward a culture of responsibility and accountability, shifting from blame to learning from one another.
