The Supreme Court announced that all the cases scheduled to be mentioned from May 3 to May 7, 2021 will not be taken up in open court and new dates will be notified later accordingly.
Issuing a special notice,the Supreme Court Registrar stated that he is issuing this announcement on the direction of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya after taking into consideration the present COVID-19 related situation.
However, the Supreme Court Registrar announced that the rest of the cases will be taken up as shown in the case list published on the Supreme Court website.
‘The litigants will not be permitted to enter the court unless the Counsel requires the presence of the litigants. All entering the court houses are requested to maintain social distancing and to adhere to other Health Guidelines in relation to prevention of COVID-19, at all times, the Supreme Court Registrar announced.
Meanwhile, the Appeal Court also announced the cases due to be mentioned will not be taken up from May 3 to May 7. According to the announcement issued by Court of Appeal Registrar, it will only take up support, argument and inquiry matters in open court from May 3 to May 7, 2021.
JSC instructs to re-schedule case dates
Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) having considered the current situation due to the onset of a fresh wave of COVID-19 has instructed not to call cases in open courts.
Accordingly, the JSC has instructed to re-schedule dates of those cases to be notified by publication of a notice at the entrance to the respective courts.
However, the JSC announced that above restrictions will not be applicable to matters relating to Bail and any other urgent matters. Attorneys are requested to advise their clients not to visit courts unless their presence is directed by courts.
The JSC further announced that possible granting of bail or extension of remand period of suspects in custody should be done through electronic means.