Legal Division

Formulation of policies regarding the laws relating to and instrumental in the administration of Justice, publication of law reports and promotion of Legal Aid. The functions of Central authority for the Mutual Assistance in Criminal, Civil and Commercial matters and the Civil Aspects of International Child abduction. Transferring of Prisoners under Transfer of Sentence Persons. Functions of the Cabinet Sub Committee on Legislation and Recommendations on Grant of Pardons.

Reforms Division

This Division has been established to efficiently and effectively overhaul the process and systems of the Ministry of Justice and as well as the Departments and Institutions coming under its purview by way of application of information technology so as to achieve the objectives of the Ministry of Justice thereby aiming at succeeding the objectives of the Ministry and providing the general public with a more effective and amicable service.

Development Division

Development Division coordinates and carries out development activities of the Ministry of Justice and the Departments coming under the purview of the Ministry of Justice.

National Integration Division

The National Integration Division is engaged in introduction and implementation of programmes to establish solidarity and co-existence between communities and provision of necessary facilities to enable people to gain a mutual understanding of their cultural, social and religious background.

Accounts Division

Financial Planning, Management and Control of financial aspects of the Ministry, Department and Courts.

Engineering Division

Construction of Court-houses, Judges’ Quarters and Labour Tribunals and other affiliated buildings and any additions and improvements to them.

Planning Division

Project Planning, Progress control and Monitoring of activities of the Ministry and departments that come under the Ministry.

Internal Audit Division

Auditing of accounts of the Ministry, departments and court-houses.

Office of the Secretary Labour Tribunals

Introduction

There are 39 Labour tribunals to hear and resolve applications related to complaints received under Section 31 (b) of the Industrial Disputes Act No. 43 of 1950. Recruitment of officials, promotion of officials, transfers, retirements and provision of infrastructure for those Labor Tribunals are the main functions of the Office of the Secretary Labor Tribunal. Labor tribunals have been introduced by the Industrial Disputes Act to settle industrial disputes.

Who can be benefitted by the Labour Tribunal?

• All employees in the private sector.
• Domestic servants.
• Semi government servants.(employees of the Statutory boards, State cooperations and beaureos)

As Government employees are excluded from the Industrial Disputes Act, they are eligible for relief in fundamental rights cases (Supreme Court) and writ order cases (Appellate Court) in accordance with the constitution for employment-related disputes. Non government servants are also equally qualified to claim their rights as the government servants. Therefore the semi government servants are entitled to claim their rights through the constitution as well as the Industrial Disputes Act.

What nature of relief can be expected from the Labour Tribunal?

According to the clause 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act, it is quite evident that an application can be filed in order to seek the following relief.

• Back wages with regard to the termination.
• Reinstatement with or without back wages.
• Compensation.
Pensions gratuity and pension related benefits.
• Compensation as an alternative to the reinstatement.

According to the 31(b) clause of the Industrial Disputes Act

• When termination is declared or implied by the employer
• Despite of the nature of termination claiming gratuity in small scale institutions where the cadre is less than 15 personnel specially during the period of 12 months before the termination.
• Deprivation of gratuity according to the 13 clause of the Gratuity Act.
• Violations of the rules and regulations laid out by the minister with regard to the employment. (Since these rules and regulations have not yet been laid out this jurisdiction is not presently exercised)

Within what time should a case be filed in a Labor Tribunal?

• Within 06 months from the date of becoming aware of termination of service.

Who can submit an application in order to gain relief?

• The terminated employee is able to submit an application by himself.
• In the instances where the terminated employee is a member of a trade union the chairman or the secretary of the trade union is able to forward an application on behalf of the employee.
• An attorney is able to submit an application and file a case on behalf of an employee or a trade union.

Vision

Assurance of job security of the Employees attached to the non government sector.

Mission

Assurance of job security of the Employees attached to the non government sector by way speedy,just and efficient mechanism of administration of justice with the assistance of the energetic,dynamic and trained staff.

Function

For the smooth functioning and the proper maintenance of the Labour Tribunals,the Labour Tribunal Secretariat mainly takes the charge in providing necessary human resources and management services.

Contact Details

Secretary,
Office of the Secretary Labour Tribunals,
No.19,
Sri Sangaraja Mw,
Colombo 10.
+94 112 478 339
+94 112 320 785
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Prison Affairs Division

Introduction

While undergoing a comprehensive reform of the prison administration and addressing the job-related issues of the prison officers, the Prison Affairs Division accounts for formulating, monitoring and following-up of necessary policies to streamline the rehabilitation process with the aim of reintegrating the prisoners into society as good citizens when they are released. Further, the Division carries out the formulation, monitoring and following up of policies required for the expansion of community corrections system, which is the main option identified for the prison overcrowding, as well as rehabilitation of those who are addicted to drugs and referred to the Bureau of Rehabilitation by the courts as useful persons to the society, and formulation, monitoring and following up of policies required for enhancing economic, social and welfare activities to make their lives successful after the rehabilitation period and socialization

Contact Details

H.M.N.C.Dhanasinghe
Additional Secretary(Prisons and Rehabilitation affairs)
+94 112 868 079
+94 112 883 729
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C.N. Lokuhetti
Director(Planning)
+94 112 883 936
+94 112 883 936
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