In a special notice, the Supreme Court Registrar yesterday announced that all the mentioned matters in the Supreme Court that are to be taken up in open court from March 17 to 20 will be rescheduled and the new dates will be notified during the first week of April 2020.
Supreme Court registrar Pradeep Mahamuthugala announced that he was directed by the Chief Justice to bring this matter to the attention of all Counsel, Registered Attorneys and Litigants.
The Supreme Court Registrar further said the hearings in respect of all other matters will be restricted to urgent and essential matters based on the applications of the parties concerned.
According to the announcement, the litigants will not be permitted to enter the court unless the Counsel requires the presence of the litigants.
Meanwhile, the President’s Media Division in a release yesterday said that the Government has taken several more measures to limit congregation of people in the wake of COVID – 19 outbreak in the country.
“Several decisions related to justice and prison activities will be implemented from today (17) onwards,” the release said
“The Judicial Services Commission which met yesterday (16) sent out a Circular relating to judicial cases to be taken up from March 17 to 20. All court cases which are to be called at Commercial High Courts, Court of Appeal and District Courts will not be called at open courts. The public can obtain information on their cases at Court premises in the first week of April.
The Circular has further advised to take up only the urgent cases at the discretion of Judges concerned. This practice is to be adopted at both High Courts and Magistrate Courts.
The congregation of public near prisons will also be limited.
However, normal commercial, banking and trading activities will continue as usual.
The National Operation Center for Prevention of COVID- 19 which has been set up on the directive of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will operate from No. 1090, Sri Jayewardenepura, Rajagiriya.
The Government takes maximum possible steps to ensure to-today activities without causing any disruption to the civilian life. The Government requests the cooperation of the general public to contain the spread of COVID – 19 virus with a proper understanding on the prevailing situation”, the release said.
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