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.