Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan has stated that judicial rulings last year addressed the deficiencies in the laws, providing effective solutions. He made the remark at a ceremony held to mark Judicial Year 2024.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Justice Adnan said that judicial rulings last year address deficiencies in laws, such as the Supreme Court's ruling that property acquired by married couples during their marriage should be distributed equally. He also highlighted the Supreme Court's ruling on the controversy over whether DNA is strong evidence in a murder case. The court has now determined that DNA analysis is strong evidence that can be given weight if it is an authentic analysis report prepared by an expert.
Additionally, Chief Justice Adnan said that similar to other years, the judiciary faced space constraints and a slowdown in infrastructure development last year. He also noted that the rain had damaged the property of some courts and their work stalled while the building where the Criminal Court building collapsed, making it difficult to summon individuals for court appearances. He expressed concern that such incidents are hindering the criminal justice system, resulting in an adverse impact on society. He urged the relevant authorities to work together to find an immediate solution.
Furthermore, Chief Justice Adnan said that the way the Civil Procedure Code and the Criminal Procedure Act have been drafted has made it difficult to implement the laws as intended by lawmakers. As such, he said that the challenges in implementing the laws should be identified with the assistance of the judiciary. In addition, the Chief Justice expressed his belief that a framework should be developed to facilitate the appointment of an attorney by the state for those who cannot afford to seek legal representation in major civil and criminal cases.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the Judicial Year 2024 during a ceremony held at Dharubaaruge. One of the most important objectives of the inauguration ceremony of the judicial year is to set new goals for the upcoming year and reflect on the achievements of the judiciary over the past year.
President Dr. Muizzu awarded commemorative plaques at the ceremony to long-serving employees who have served the judiciary for over 35 years. Senior members of the Judiciary and senior government officials were in attendance at the ceremony.