The Sri Lankan government has published a bill to amend the Civil Procedure Code, enabling witnesses to testify before courts through live audio-visual technology from locations within the country or overseas.
The Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill was published in a Gazette supplement dated October 16, 2026, following an order by the Minister of Justice and National Integration.
Under the proposed amendments, courts would be empowered to permit witnesses to give evidence remotely through video links, either with the consent of all parties, upon an application by one party, or on the court’s own initiative.
However, courts would be required to consider objections raised by parties or witnesses and ensure that remote testimony does not compromise the fairness of judicial proceedings.
The bill also provides for witnesses residing overseas to give evidence without travelling to Sri Lanka. In such cases, courts may appoint diplomatic officers attached to Sri Lankan embassies, high commissions or consulates to coordinate the examination of witnesses.
