Govt. moves to speed up Analyst’s reports amid prison overcrowding

The Government has taken measures to expedite the issuance of Government Analyst’s reports, which have been identified as one of the factors contributing to overcrowding in prisons, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament on Thursday (22).

The Minister said 1,506 Government Analyst’s reports had been issued during August and September following measures to strengthen the Department’s workforce and fill existing vacancies.

He said delays in obtaining the reports had contributed to the prolonged detention of suspects and accused persons, thereby adding to prison overcrowding.

Under proposed amendments to the law, the Government Analyst would be required to issue the relevant report within two months of receiving an item for examination, Nanayakkara said.

Meanwhile, the Minister said the prison population had declined significantly following measures taken to address overcrowding.

The number of inmates had fallen from 41,993 on July 1 to 36,925 by September 30 — a reduction of 5,068.

Nanayakkara also outlined proposed amendments concerning narcotics seized as evidence in criminal cases.

Under the proposed changes, authorities would not be required to retain entire consignments of seized narcotics until the conclusion of court proceedings. Instead, the substances could be photographed and, where necessary, video-recorded before the relevant Magistrate was informed.

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

The Minister stressed that the proposed changes were intended to ensure that the procedure was carried out lawfully while safeguarding the fundamental rights of suspects and accused persons, including their right to a fair trial.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court has released, on bail, the Chairman of the National People’s Power (NPP)-controlled Kirinda Puhulwella Pradeshiya Sabha, and four others, arrested over allegations of unlawfully detaining and subjecting a retired female teacher and her son to physical and mental harassment.

The five suspects, including Pradeshiya Sabha officials, were arrested by Thihagoda Police on Thursday (22) following a complaint made by the teacher and her son, an engineer.

The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over the construction of a wall along Wadigawatta Road, in Kirinda.

According to reports, the dispute arose after a technical officer, attached to the Pradeshiya Sabha, who resides on a neighbouring property, constructed part of a wall that allegedly obstructed the engineer from taking his vehicle out of his residence.

The Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman had subsequently allegedly summoned the retired teacher and her son to the Council premises to discuss the legality of the construction and prepare a report for the Human Rights Commission.

However, the two were allegedly confined to a room at the Pradeshiya Sabha premises and subjected to physical and mental harassment.

Following the complaint, Thihagoda Police launched an investigation and arrested the five suspects on allegations, including the misuse of legal and political authority.

The suspects were produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court, where the Magistrate, after considering submissions from both sides, ordered their release on personal bail.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday rejected a motion seeking to withdraw an order prohibiting a group of Buddhist monks from occupying the area near the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park, while staging a Satyagraha, demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama refused the request after considering submissions made by a group of lawyers, including President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, appearing for the monks.

Gunaratne requested court to withdraw the existing order or amend it to allow the monks to remain at the location while continuing their Satyagraha.

However, the Chief Magistrate rejected the request and upheld the order restricting the monks from gathering near the Buddha statue.

The Magistrate also rejected a request by the police to issue arrest warrants against several individuals, allegedly involved in violating the court order.

Bodaragama observed that sufficient facts had not been placed before court, at this stage, to justify issuing the warrants.

He further said that, if necessary, the police could take appropriate action under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

A religious ceremony, organised to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), was held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, in Kandy, on October 22 and 23, with the participation of Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe and Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit Krishanthi Edirisinghe.

On October 22, the Air Force Commander visited the Malwathu and Asgiri Maha Viharayas and received blessings from the Mahanayake Theras of the two chapters of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya.

He later visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa, where he offered Gilanpasa to the Sacred Tooth Relic and received blessings. He also met the Chief Custodian of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Dr. Pradeep Nilanga Dela.

A Sanghika Dana was held the following day for 75 Buddhist monks, with SLAF personnel presenting the Ashta Pariskara, the eight requisites of Buddhist monks.

During the visit, Edirisinghe also inspected the SLAF firefighting team, vehicles and equipment deployed to ensure the safety of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

The ceremony, organised by the SLAF Directorate of Welfare, included religious observances to commemorate Air Force personnel who sacrificed their lives for the country and invoke blessings for serving personnel and their families.

Members of the SLAF Board of Management, senior officers, other ranks and families of fallen war heroes attended the ceremony.