Decisive Court Verdict Expected in May, Says President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that May 2026 will mark a turning point for the country’s judicial system, stressing that a key court verdict in several high-profile cases is expected this month.
Addressing the May Day rally of the National People's Power (NPP) held on May 1 in Nuwara Eliya, the President said that 2026 will go down in Sri Lanka’s history as the year when corrupt officials, fraudsters, and criminals are brought to justice.
“I can give a guarantee: 2026 will be the year when the corrupt, the fraudulent, and thieves are sent to prison. Cases against ten individuals are already being heard in courts this May. Yesterday, a date was fixed for delivering one verdict, and that decision will be delivered within this month,” he emphasised.
The President also elaborated on measures taken to strengthen law enforcement and judicial institutions. According to him, the Criminal Investigation Department has been significantly strengthened, with a large number of investigations currently underway.
He noted that while the public remains calm, those implicated in wrongdoing are increasingly uneasy.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has also been reinforced. The government has allocated a property formerly owned by a minister to expand the Commission’s operations, enabling faster progress in investigations.
In addition, several houses previously owned by former ministers have been converted into court facilities for hearings. “The very houses once used for lavish living are now being used to give evidence in court,” the President remarked.
Reaffirming his commitment to the rule of law, the President stated that no individual will be granted immunity.
“We make no distinctions — whether it is a former president, a former prime minister, a president’s spouse, son, son-in-law, or relative — the law will apply equally to all,” he said.
He added that the government is acting in accordance with the mandate given by the people and is determined to see through the process of holding all offenders accountable.
According to the President, there is already a noticeable acceleration in bringing criminals — including corrupt figures, drug traffickers, and organised crime actors — before the law, which, he said, explains the growing anxiety among those involved.