Investigations into serious crimes & drug offences expedited

COLOMBO (News 1st): Measures are underway to expedite the criminal investigations with regard to serious crimes and offences related to narcotics, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday (Feb.10). Certain investigations were hampered due to the delays in the release of government forensic reports, Major General (Rtd.) Jagath Alwis, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security said. Thereby, he said necessary steps were taken at the institutional level, to expedite the release of reports. According to Major General (Rtd.) Jagath Alwis, the recruitment of new officers to the Government Analyst's Department has been streamlined. Meanwhile, the Attorney-General has informed the Inspector General of Police that criminal investigations with regard to serious crimes and drug offenses should conclude within three-months. Attorney-General Dappula de Livera, in a letter pointed out that the inability and delays in concluding the investigations into criminal activity by Police Stations and Police Units across the island in an expeditious manner, is of great concern. The inability to conduct criminal investigations in a timely manner, has led to the inefficiency of the justice mechanism in the country, the Attorney-General further pointed out in the letter.