Minister of Justice (Sri Lanka) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms of Sri Lanka

Incumbent Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC since 20 May 2022
Ministry of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms
Nominator	The Prime Minister
Appointer	The President
Formation	26 September 1947

The Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms is a very important job in the Cabinet of Sri Lanka. This person helps make sure that laws are fair and that the justice system works well for everyone in the country. They also look after prisons and help update the country's main rules, called the Constitution.

The Constitution of Sri Lanka says that there must always be a Minister of Justice in the government. This shows how important this role is for the country. From 1947 to 1970, the Minister of Justice was chosen from the Senate of Ceylon, which was like an upper house of parliament. These ministers were often lawyers, called Advocates. Before this, the job was known as the Legal Secretary of Ceylon from 1932 to 1947.

What Does the Justice Minister Do?
Important People in Justice History
- Past Ministers and Their Times
Images for kids
See also

What Does the Justice Minister Do?

The Minister of Justice leads the Ministry of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms. This ministry is in charge of many things related to law and order. They work to ensure that justice is served fairly for all citizens.

Keeping Laws Fair and Updated

One main job is to make sure that the laws of Sri Lanka are fair and up-to-date. This includes suggesting new laws or changes to old ones. They also work on reforms, which means making improvements to the legal system. This helps the country's laws keep up with modern times.

Looking After Prisons

The Minister also oversees the country's prisons. This means they are responsible for how prisons are run and for the well-being of people held there. They work to make sure prisons are safe and that prisoners are treated properly.

Working on Constitutional Reforms

Another key part of the job is working on constitutional reforms. The Constitution is the most important set of rules for a country. It explains how the government works and what rights citizens have. The Minister of Justice helps to review and suggest changes to these rules. This ensures the Constitution continues to serve the people of Sri Lanka well.

Important People in Justice History

Many different people have held the role of Minister of Justice since it was created in 1947. These ministers have come from various political parties over the years. Each minister has played a part in shaping Sri Lanka's legal system.

Past Ministers and Their Times

For example, Lalita Rajapaksa was the first Minister of Justice, starting in 1947. Later, people like Felix Dias Bandaranaike and Ratnasiri Wickremanayake held the position. In more recent times, ministers like Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Thalatha Atukorale have served. Each minister works with the President and Prime Minister of their time to guide the country's justice system. The current Minister of Justice is Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who started his role in May 2022.