ICTA gives computer crimes enforcement training for Police

The Ministry of Defence together with Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has taken action to establish a computer crime unit at the Police Department.

"This unit is established with computer forensic skills to facilitate the investigation of computer crime," Legal Advisor to the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka Jayantha Fernando said.

The ICTA, functioning under the purview of the Prime Minister's Office has identified and commenced a programme to develop capacity in the Police Department so that Police personnel would be well equipped to investigate Computer Crime.

An initial in-house workshop was started with overseas experts familiar with Computer Forensics. The development of a digital forensic lab in the Police is planned and is being implemented. ICTA has also consulted officials and experts with regard to options for the setting up of the computer crimes unit. The Computer Crimes legislation introduces the concept of "experts" to assist computer crime investigations to ensure that the skilled task of accessing a computer is done only by a person who has the competence to perform an efficient detection while at the same time ensuring that the computer hardware and software is not damaged.

The designation of experts is carried out by the Ministry of Defence in consultation with the Minister of Science and Technology.

The Computer Crimes Bill was debated recently in Parliament. The Bill was presented to Parliament by Justice Minister John Seneviratne.

The Bill was also reviewed by the Advisory Committee appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology.

When Draft legislation was submitted for approval of the Cabinet of Ministers on May 11, 2005, the Government decided that investigation capability in computer crimes should be strengthened, consequent to a note to Cabinet from the Prime Minister.