Government Analyst's Dept. decentralised
 

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

For the first time in its century old history, the Government Analyst's Department is to be decentralised in a bid to assist the Justice and Judicial Reforms Ministry's efforts to arrest the laws delays.

Accordingly, the first branch of the Government Analyst's Department will be opened in Anuradhapura on June 24.

Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said this move would expedite the issuing of reports by the Government Analyst's Department.

He was confident that this measure would also help expedite court proceedings unlike at present when judgements are held up due to the delay in the Government Analyst's report."To avoid this unnecessary delay, we have decided to decentralise the department to other parts of the country," he added.

This is the first decentralisation of the Government Analyst's Department which was established in 1904. While the first branch will be established in Anuradhapura, later it will be expanded to Matara and Badulla. "Initially, reports relevant to illicit liquor cases will be handled by this branch and it will expand, " Government Analyst E.G. Somapala said. However, the issuing of reports in connection with forensic and other sensitive investigations will not be decentralised for the moment.

He said at present, there are nearly 17,000 illicit liquor cases pending before the Courts and as a result, there was a huge pile of court productions relating to such cases at the Department. "The Department is finding it difficult to cope with this huge stock housed under one roof and therefore, the decentralisation was deemed necessary."

He said apart from minimising courts' delays, this measure would be a great convenience to the people. "We are planning to increase the staff and also to improve efficiency."

Besides, Minister Seneviratne explained that steps have been taken to introduce new judicial reforms to avoid the displeasure of the people about the judicial system of the country.