The government has taken measures to expedite the issuance of Government Analyst’s reports to address delays that have contributed to prison overcrowding, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara said.

Addressing Parliament today (22), the Minister revealed that 1,506 Government Analysts’ reports had been issued during August and September alone, following measures to strengthen the department’s workforce and fill existing vacancies.

He explained that delays in obtaining Government Analyst’s reports had been identified as one of the main factors contributing to overcrowding in prisons.

The Minister further stated that under proposed legislative amendments, the Government Analyst will be required to issue the relevant report within two months of receiving an item for examination.

Meanwhile, Minister Nanayakkara revealed that the number of prison inmates had decreased significantly following measures introduced to address overcrowding.

According to the Minister, the prison population had declined from 41,993 on July 1 to 36,925 by September 30, marking a reduction of 5,068 inmates.

He also outlined proposed legal amendments concerning the handling of narcotics seized as evidence in criminal cases.

Under the proposed changes, instead of retaining entire packages of narcotics until the conclusion of court proceedings, authorities will be permitted to photograph and, where necessary, video-record the substances before informing the relevant Magistrate.

The Magistrate will then be empowered to authorise the prompt destruction of the narcotics, subject to conditions imposed by the court.

Minister Nanayakkara emphasised that the proposed amendments are intended to ensure that these procedures are carried out lawfully, without affecting the fundamental rights of suspects or accused persons, including their right to a fair trial. (Newswire)

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The Government Analyst visited the Galle railway station this morning (01) to inspect two train compartments that were destroyed in a fire last night.

The blaze broke out in two of the four train compartments parked near the station on Tuesday (31). 

Firefighters from the Galle Municipal Council deployed two fire engines to extinguish the flames, assisted by Police officers, railway staff, and local residents.

The Galle Police have launched further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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The Judicial Service Commission has informed all magistrates to take necessary steps to remove narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that have accumulated at the Government Analyst’s Department.

This notification was issued following a request made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa.

The Ministry of Justice has submitted a report to the Judicial Service Commission regarding narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that were sent to the Government Analyst’s Department between 1981 and 2023, and whose investigations have been completed.

Despite the completion of investigations, these samples continue to be stored, causing space constraints at the Government Analyst’s Department and making it impossible to provide adequate storage facilities, according to the Ministry.

In response, the Ministry of Justice has requested the Judicial Service Commission to take urgent action to remove the completed narcotic samples from the Government Analyst’s Department.

After reviewing the request, the Judicial Service Commission has formally notified all magistrates to take the necessary steps to remove the narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that have accumulated at the Government Analyst’s Department. (Newswire)

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