COLOMBO, May 29 -- Sri Lanka's judiciary is facing a severe staff shortage with 2,647 vacancies remaining unfilled due to the absence of recruitment since 2018, authorities revealed, prompting Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to order officials to expedite the recruitment process.

The issue came to light during a recent meeting of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Advisory Committee, chaired by Minister Nanayakkara, an attorney-at-law.

During the meeting, the committee approved an order issued under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act No. 25 of 2002. The order, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2470/04 dated January 5, 2026, was presented to Parliament on May 19, 2026.

The com...