Speech
made by Hon. Mr. C. R. de Silva, Attorney General of Sri Lanka
Colombo – Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Solicitor General, Additional Solicitors General, State Attorney,
Deputy Solicitors General, Senior State Counsel, Senior Assistant
State Attorneys, Ms. Sharmalie Gunawardene of the Legal and Judicial
Reform Project, Dr. Vijith Kannangara and Mr. Suren Kannangara from
Affno, Mr. Ajith Abeywardene, Project Manager, E-wis, Ladies and
Gentlemen.
The words I speak are couched in a profound
sense of accomplishment amalgamated appropriately with a sense of
satisfaction. The Attorney General’s Department Computerization
Project represents a significant and daring leap into the futuristic
sphere of information technology. We may now claim that this Department
has assumed a futuristic disposition whilst retaining its traditional
and orthodox ways which is tantamount to an almost utopian blend
indeed. This Department has accomplished greatness despite the absence
of the lap of technological luxury. Its presence, I trust, will
serve to take us to greater heights. In the words of an individual
who has been a vital strand to this venture, Mr. Suren Kannangara,
CEO of Affno, “the software system implemented by Affno will
create a tangible and significant difference in the work of the
Attorney General’s Department”. I trust that this system
will only serve to compliment the hallowed portals of this Department
and its ethos of perseverance and determination.
I believe, we have a reason to be content and delighted, for the
technology we have absorbed into the threshold of this Department
has been the subject of critique of exalted and prestigious institutions
in the league of the British Computer Society which have held this
system in high esteem. Therefore, to utter the declaring that we
have before us a solution to meet our administrative needs.
I must specifically thank the host of individuals whose assistance
without which, a project of this magnitude would have been but a
mere figment of our imagination. I must therefore acknowledge the
contribution made by all the individuals who made this project a
reality especially Suren Kannangara and Roshan Jayawardhana who
were responsible to ensure the receipt of a gold award for their
system. I must also thank E-wis for the role played in the automation
project. I am particularly delighted to acknowledge the contribution
of the Officers of this Department for having cast every individual
lump of clay and thus creating this monument. All know that we alone
cannot achieve this without the concurrence of the Judicial system.
My grateful thanks to the Legal and Judicial Reforms Project for
not only making this system a reality but also for the many important
projects that you have implemented in the entire Legal and Judicial
system.
We must take cognizance of the fact that we happen to be one of
the very few Government Departments to have such modern technological
assistance. It is inevitable that we would find ourselves consequently
basking in an aura of conspicuousness. Although, such a disposition
does not take us by surprise, we must keep in mind that the status
quo represents a healthy exposition, for we may henceforth serve
as role-models of quintessential Government administration.
The proof of the pudding is of course in the eating. I believe,
it now only remains for us to begin employing this system. In order
to facilitate this, the preliminary step is to ensure that all active
case files are scanned in. I believe this process has been augmented
now and I trust all material would be scanned and merged into the
system by the 14th of December. Thereafter, I am told that Affno
would be conducting a series of refresher training programmes from
the 17th to the 20th of December. Come 1st January 2008, we would
all be carrying out our work digitally by employing digital case
files, and resorting to the use of tangible files only in relation
to court attendance.
I have no doubt that this software system would introduce considerable
ease, efficiency and a heightened sense of security towards the
work of every officer. Inevitably it would entail a considerable
degree of acclimatization for most of us perhaps more so for some
of us in particular! Regardless, this represents the future and
the preliminary step of the great journey that lies in the path
of this Department, and we would tread forth in a bold and perseverant
fashion.
All this should translate to greater efficiencies in our Department.
As we go along, workloads will increase and backlogs may swell.
However, with this system, I trust we may claim that backlogs are
now a thing of the past.
The technological achievements of our Department should arguably
be felt by every other Government Department, the Judiciary, the
Executive and the Legislature. Speedy conclusion of cases would
serve as a medium to improve public confidence that justice prevails.
I expect officers to take full advantage of this technological facility.
When we work for an institution it is important for us to sail with
the wind. Therefore, even if there are a few of you who might be
threatened by the change it is essential that you adapt to such
change. We will no doubt encounter a few impediments in the process,
but we should strive to solve such issues and make this a system
that will truly assist us to simplify our work.
Officers also make use of this system to share your knowledge by
sharing pleadings, judgments and written submissions. Let’s
work together, to be a role model for the country.
In conclusion, I congratulate Affno and wish them well in their
future endeavours.
