Canada & UNDP Provide New Equipment to Boost Sri Lanka’s DNA Testing Capacity

The Government Analyst’s Department is taking steps to issue forensic reports related to drug cases within three months, Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said.

The minister said delays in forensic reports had become a serious issue, including for detainees who were unable to obtain bail while awaiting reports.

He said there were 118 vacancies at the department when the current government took office, affecting its ability to process reports efficiently. Steps have since been taken to recruit around 70 personnel, while officers are working until around 10 p.m. to clear the backlog.

Nanayakkara also announced plans to amend the law governing bail in drug-related cases.

Under legislation enacted in 2022, suspects involving drugs with a net weight exceeding 10 grams are required to seek bail from the Court of Appeal, which the minister said had contributed to delays.

The proposed amendment would restore the ability to seek bail from the High Court when the net weight of drugs at the time of arrest is below 100 grams.

The comments were made during an event at the Government Analyst’s Department in Battaramulla, where new equipment was handed over to improve Sri Lanka’s DNA testing capacity.

The equipment includes an RT-PCR machine, a PCR system and Crime-Lite Serology Kits.

The programme has been implemented by the United Nations Population Fund with financial assistance from the Canadian government.

The new equipment is expected to improve the identification and analysis of biological evidence, strengthen forensic DNA analysis and help reduce delays in the judicial process. (Newswire)

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