The Cabinet has approved the drafting of bills to amend the Criminal Procedure Code of Sri Lanka, introducing a new system that allows “plea agreements” in place of traditional trials. This initiative aims to expedite criminal case resolutions, reduce court backlogs, and alleviate prison congestion.
Under the proposed amendments, defendants and prosecutors can negotiate a plea deal, potentially leading to reduced penalties, fines, or compensations. The Attorney General has cleared the draft bill, which has been published in the Government Gazette and is now awaiting parliamentary approval.