Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa attributes delays in obtaining legal advice from the Attorney General's Department, including in the case involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to institutional capacity issues and workload pressures rather than political interference.
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has linked the pending status of legal proceedings involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to resource constraints within the Attorney General's Department rather than deliberate obstruction. Speaking to concerns about delays in receiving legal advice, the Minister acknowledged that the department faces significant practical challenges in keeping pace with court proceedings across multiple cases.
Dr. Jayatissa explained that the Attorney General's Department, which is responsible for instituting and conducting legal proceedings on behalf of the State, is struggling with an overwhelming caseload relative to its available resources. "The existing workforce is simply insufficient to manage the workload," he stated, noting that a large number of cases have already been filed and many have reached judgment despite the constraints.
The Minister emphasized that the government is addressing these capacity issues through administrative and institutional reforms rather than through judicial interference. He outlined ongoing measures including facility improvements, resource allocation, and accelerated staff recruitment to strengthen the department's operational capacity.
According to Dr. Jayatissa, these reforms are part of a broader institutional strengthening initiative and are expected to help expedite legal proceedings going forward. The government maintains that supporting the Attorney General's Department operationally differs fundamentally from interfering with judicial independence or the conduct of specific cases.
