The National Shoora Council (NSC), the apex body of Muslim civil society organizations in Sri Lanka, has called on Justice Minister Harsha Nanayakkara not to burden Magistrates with additional responsibilities related to inquests into sudden deaths. Instead, the NSC urged the government to strengthen and elevate the Office of Inquirers into Sudden Deaths (ISDs) to a professional level, comparable to that of Presidents of Labour Tribunals.
In a letter addressed to the Minister on October 5, 2025, the NSC welcomed the Ministry’s efforts to make the justice system more people-friendly, affordable, and efficient. However, it cautioned that certain new proposals could inadvertently increase court workloads, delay justice, and impose additional financial burdens on grieving families.
The Council noted that, under Section 370(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Magistrates are required to conduct inquests only in cases where there is reasonable suspicion of crime, including instances of criminal negligence. “That should remain,” the NSC stated, adding that the bulk of inquests—especially where deaths occur naturally—should continue to be handled by ISDs.
“Records show that almost 99% of sudden deaths occur in the ordinary course of nature. It would be unjust and impractical to subject these to magisterial inquiries and mandatory post-mortems meant for the small fraction of cases involving suspected crimes,” the statement said.
The NSC emphasized that unnecessary post-mortems not only increase costs for the government and families but also raise concerns about the dignity of the deceased, which is protected under international humanitarian and customary laws, as well as religious principles.
The Council recommended enhancing the ISD offices with improved facilities, better remuneration, and higher recruitment standards to ensure professionalism and efficiency in their work.
Reiterating the government’s pledge to reform the justice system to reduce delays and costs, the NSC’s representation—signed by President M.M. Zuhair, PC and General Secretary Rasheed M. Imthiyaz, Attorney-at-Law—urged the Ministry to prioritize practical and humane reforms in line with those goals.
Full Statement:
