Justice Must Reach the Last Person First: Justice Surya Kant in Sri Lanka

This article covers Justice Surya Kant’s address in Sri Lanka, where he emphasised that the justice system must prioritise the most marginalised — “the last person first.” He underscored access to justice, affordability, and procedural simplification as key to realising constitutional guarantees. The judge highlighted reforms such as legal aid expansion, use of technology in courts, and judicial outreach programs. His remarks also reflected on international cooperation in strengthening justice delivery systems and the importance of empathy in judicial decision-making, suggesting that courts must act as institutions of social transformation as well as adjudication.