Conclude investigations in three months; AG tells IGP

Colombo (News 1st); Attorney General Dappula De Livera has directed the Inspector General of Police to conclude investigations on grave crimes and drug offenses within 03 months as a rule.

According to State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the coordinating officer to the Attorney General, the IGP was also advised by the Attorney General to forward the relevant extracts of the completed information books (IB) to be considered for indictments. In a letter addressed to IGP Chandana Wickramaratne, the Attorney General noted there is a delay in concluding investigations on crimes taking place across the country for various reasons. AG De Livera said the inability to conclude investigations in an efficient manner is a reason for them not being able to enforce the justice system in the country in a proper manner. The Attorney General said such delay does not ensure justice is served for witnesses and victims of crimes and also violates the right of a suspect for a fair trial, adding it is a major obstacle towards upholding the rule of law. Dappula De Livera has therefore highlighted the importance of concluding criminal investigations without delay and called on the IGP to ensure the investigations are concluded in a proper, efficient, and expeditious manner.