Posted by Onlanka Information on September 15, 2026 – 7:14 pm
The United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP) has offered new laboratory gear to strengthen the DNA testing capability of Sri Lanka’s Authorities Analyst’s Division and assist scale back delays in forensic reviews.
The gear was formally handed over this morning (September 15) on the Authorities Analyst’s Division on Isuru Mawatha, Battaramulla.
UNDP Resident Consultant in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota handed over the gear to Appearing Authorities Analyst Kamani Perera within the presence of Minister of Justice and Nationwide Integration, Legal professional-at-Legislation Harshana Nanayakkara.
Following an inspection of the gear, Perera and Kubota signed the related agreements confirming the handover.
A particular dialogue was additionally held beneath the chairmanship of Minister Nanayakkara with the participation of Perera, Kubota and Canadian Excessive Commissioner to Sri Lanka Isabelle Martin.
The dialogue targeted on the progress of issuing forensic reviews, the necessity for contemporary testing gear and different amenities required to enhance the effectivity of the Authorities Analyst’s Division.
Talking on the occasion, Minister Nanayakkara mentioned delays in issuing forensic reviews had turn out to be a major problem lately and that formal measures had been now being taken to deal with the difficulty.
He mentioned there have been 118 vacancies within the Division when the current authorities assumed workplace, creating critical difficulties in issuing forensic reviews effectively.
The Minister mentioned steps have now been taken to recruit round 70 personnel required by the Division.
He added that officers are working till round 10:00 PM to hurry up the issuance of reviews, whereas measures have been launched to difficulty reviews regarding medicine inside lower than three months.
Nanayakkara additionally praised the work carried out by officers of the Authorities Analyst’s Division.
He mentioned delays in forensic reviews had additionally affected detainees in prisons, with some unable to acquire bail as a result of the required reviews had not been issued.
In accordance with the Minister, the federal government recognized the difficulty final yr and commenced taking measures to deal with it.
Preparations have additionally been made to offer fashionable equipment and the chemical compounds required for laboratory testing.
Nanayakkara mentioned that beneath laws enacted in 2022, circumstances involving medicine with a web weight of greater than 10 grams required bail purposes to be made to the Courtroom of Attraction, which had contributed to delays.
He mentioned steps are actually being taken to amend the legislation in order that purposes for bail can as soon as once more be made to the Excessive Courtroom when the web weight of medicine on the time of arrest is under 100 grams.
The dialogue additionally gave particular consideration to dashing up DNA testing and offering the extra technical amenities required for this objective.
The newly offered gear consists of an RT-PCR machine, a PCR system and several other Crime-Lite Serology Kits, amongst different objects.
The programme is funded by the Authorities of Canada and collectively applied by UNDP and the United Nations Inhabitants Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka.
In accordance with the Ministry, the brand new gear is predicted to strengthen the scientific foundation of the judicial course of by bettering the correct identification and evaluation of organic proof.
Additionally it is anticipated to enhance the accuracy, reliability and evidentiary energy of forensic DNA evaluation whereas serving to scale back delays in Sri Lanka’s judicial system.
