A 10-member delegation from Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, undertook an official visit to India this week.
The delegation received a ceremonial welcome in the main hall of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. The highlight of the programme was a special sitting of the Supreme Court, during which Chief Justice Surasena joined CJI Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on the bench, presiding as a guest justice. The remaining nine Sri Lankan justices observed the proceedings from the well of CJI Kant’s courtroom.
Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh formally greeted the delegation and lauded Justice Surasena’s reformist initiatives. He cited the Sri Lankan Chief Justice’s maxim, “If you want something you have never had, then you have got to do something you have never done,” highlighting the bold reforms introduced to modernise Sri Lanka’s court system. Singh noted that initiatives such as court digitisation aim to address persistent legal delays and streamline case backlogs.
The Sri Lankan judges spent the morning observing Supreme Court proceedings in CJI Kant’s courtroom.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to capacity-building and knowledge exchange. Indian Supreme Court officials provided the delegation with detailed briefings on technological initiatives, including demonstrations of the e-filing system and other digital reforms. Presentations also covered new case management systems and administrative innovations. The Sri Lankan justices engaged with the Indian officials, asking questions about the integration of electronic court records and technology in daily judicial processes.
Both delegations emphasised their shared legal traditions and mutual respect. Chief Justice Surasena noted that India is Sri Lanka’s “closest neighbour,” with historic links, including references in ancient epics, underpinning today’s judicial dialogue. CJI Kant described the joint bench of the two countries’ chief justices as a “significant moment” for the rule of law.
The Sri Lankan delegation continued its programme in Delhi on December 12 with a visit to the Delhi High Court and its International Arbitration and Mediation Centres.
