800,000 CASES PENDING IN COURTS ISLANDWIDE

COLOMBO (News 1st): There are around 800,000 cases pending in courts island-wide, which would take at least another 15 years to conclude proceedings, the Ministry of Justice said. Therefore, there is a need to double the number of courts and magistrates so as to expedite the proceedings, M.M.P.K. Mayadunne, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice said on Monday (Dec. 21). According to the Ministry of Justice, 8000 inmates are expected to be rehabilitated to reduce the congestion in prisons. The Ministry expects to rehabilitate drug addicts for a period of one year. At present drug addicts are remanded until the end of the trial.