COLOMBO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Justice and Prison Reforms Ministry on Thursday declared open the second special high court to try bribery and corruption cases in the island country, the government information department said.

The justice ministry said the aim of the special court is to clear the backlog of high-profile cases.

The special court will hear cases involving money laundering, bribery and large financial crimes, dishonest misappropriation of property, and criminal breach of trust by public servants.

The government, in July last year, opened the first special high court.

A third special high court is also expected to be opened before September this year.

Last year, the Sri Lankan parliament approved the setting up of three special high courts with 119 legislators voting in favor and 52 against.