The Supreme Court is scheduled to commence its sittings for the 2nd Term of 2020, on April 27, the Supreme, the Supreme Court Registrar announced.
At a previous occasion, the location where the Supreme Court is situated had been declared as a Covid-19 risk area by the authorities.
The Supreme Court Registrar Pradeep Mahamuthugala maintained that it has become important and necessary in the interest of public, to co-operate with the guidelines and advices issued from time to time from the authorities working hard to control the spreading of the coronavirus.
However, the Supreme Court Registrar reiterated that in the event the situation in the locality of the Superior Courts Complex continues to be identified as an area unsafe for public to access and move around, Court sittings will not take place.
'However, upon an application to hear a case on the basis of urgency, after considering the merits and the circumstances, if Court is satisfied on the availability of such circumstances, Court in its discretion would make an appropriate order in that regard', the Supreme Court Registrar said.
He further announced that the Registry will be open from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm to accept new filings.
'In order to ensure effective compliance with the Government health advisories including advisories on social distancing; and to avoid congestion, no person other than the Attorney of a party or a person who is an unrepresented party will be allowed presence in court rooms unless prior permission had been granted by Court on an application by an Attorney, the Supreme Court Registrar added.
Taking into account the number of cases scheduled for a particular day, listing of cases may be made on staggered basis. In such an instance, only the Attorney and unrepresented parties of such cases that are listed for a particular time slot would be permitted to remain in the court room during the said time period, unless the court directs otherwise.
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