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Introduction
The Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No.04 of 2015 provides for the establishment of National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses in order to protect the victims of crime and witnesses. The objective of this Act is to strengthen the course of administration of justice by identifying a proper legal framework to protect the rights of the victims of crime and witnesses. The Authority located at No.428/11A, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla was ceremonially declared opened on 08/01/2016by His Excellency the President.
Subsequently, by notice published in the Gazette Extra Ordinary No.1966/02 dated 09/05/2016, the subject that lies with the scope of the Authority was entrusted with the Hon. Minister of Justice with effect from 27/04/2016. Accordingly, the Hon. Minister of Justice, by order published in the Gazette Extra Ordinary No.1967/8 dated 16/05/2016,directedthat the provisions specified in the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No.04 of 2015 be implemented with effect from 18.05.2016.
In compliance with the provisions specified in Section 12(1) of Part IV of the Act, the Board of Management of the Authority was appointed with effect from 11/08/2016 consisting of five members appointed by His Excellency the President from among persons who are academically or professionally qualified and have experience in professions or fields of professional activity associated with the criminology, the criminal justice system, the promotion and protection of human rights or medicine and seven other ex-officio members viz. the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister-in-Charge of the subject of Justice, the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister-in-Charge of the Police Department, the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister-in-Charge of the subject of Women Affairs, the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister-in-Charge of the subject of Children, a member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, a nominee of the Attorney-General and a nominee of the Inspector General of Police or their representatives respectively.
Duties and functions
Duties and functions of the Authority established under Section 11 of the Act may be summarized as follows:-
- Enforcement functions - To identify, promote, protect and make aware of the rights and entitlements of the victims of crime and witnesses;
- Quasi-judicial functions - To investigate and monitor the infringement of rights and entitlements of the victims of crime and witnesses and make recommendations to state institutions, public officers and courts of law;
- Operational functions - To guarantee protection of the victims of crime and witnesses;
- Regulatory functions - To issue guidelines and to supervise.
The Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division
The Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No.04 of 2015 provides for the establishment and maintenance of a Division to be called “The Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division” under the direction and guidance of National Authority. Interms of Section 19(2) of the Act, a Senior Superintendent of Police, who comes under the supervision of the nominee of the Inspector General of police ex-officio appointed as a member of the Board, shall be placed in charge of the Division.
Victim and a witness crime may request protection from institutions
Under the Act, a victim and a witness of a crime may request protection from institutions under mentioned. viz.
- The National Authority for the Protection of victims of Crime and Witnesses;
- The Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division;
- Courts of law
- The Commissions (The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, The Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruptions, Investigations Commissions or a Special President’s Commission of Inquiry or any other Commission appointed under the Commission of Inquiry Act.)
- Officer-in-Charge of the Police in the area.
Visit the Institute's website for more information : National Authority for The Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses
Sri Lanka Law College
The Sri Lanka Law College functions under the Council of Legal Education Ordinance as amended to administer legal education. The Council of Legal Education consists of the Chief Justice (who presides over it), the Attorney - General, two other Supreme Court Judges, the Secretary to the ministry of Justice, the Solicitor - General, two members nominated by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and six members appointed by the Minister of Justice.
The Sri Lanka Law College conducts a 3 year course of study. At the end of each year and in the month of April the college conducts examinations for students of all 3 batches i.e. Preliminary, Intermediate and Final Years. After passing these examinations, a student is required to undergo a period of six months apprenticeship under an Attorney at Law with not less than 8 years of experience.
Sri Lanka Law College is a self - financed institution. Visiting lecturers are drawn from both the official and unofficial Bar. All of them are either President’s Counsel or experienced lawyers who are academically qualified.
244 Hulftsdorp Street,
P.O. Box 1501,
Colombo 12.
+94 112 473 119/ 323759
+94 112 385 847
Visit official web site of the Sri Lanka Law College
Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute was established by Act No. 46 of 1985. This institute is managed by a Board of Management which consists of 5 members including the Hon. Chief Justice and two judges of the Supreme Court appointed by His Excellency the President. The required provisions to this institute are allocated by the Ministry.
Subjects and the Functions of the Institute:-
- To provide facilities for the exchanging of views and ideas on judicial and legal matters among judicial officers.
- To organize and hold meetings, conferences, lectures workshops and seminars with a view to improving the professional expertise of judicial officers and advancing their knowledge and skills.
- To formulate and conduct research courses in various aspects of the administration of justice and to provide library facilities and other educational material for judicial officers.
Visit official web site of the Sri Lanka Judge’s Institute
The Legal Aid Commission (LAC) was established by Legal Aid Law No.27 of 1978. The main objective of the LAC is to provide legal aid to ‘deserving persons’ in Sri Lanka. The role of the LAC is to provide legal advice and free assistance of lawyers to low income groups and to create awareness in the entire society on legal procedures. Many activities inclusive of representation in courts of law and other were implemented under the following divisions during the year.
Legal Division: Representation in Courts on behalf of deserving persons
At present there are 77 Legal Aid Centers island-wide inclusive of the Colombo Center located directly under the Head Office. The main focus of the centers of the Legal Aid Commission is litigation. Legal aid is given to deserving persons: that is, persons whose monthly income is Rs.15,000/= or less. Under special circumstances the income level is relaxed eg: Legal representation in courts for women who seek maintenance for themselves and or their children irrespective of their income status.
Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka
No 129, Hulftsdorp Street,
Colombo - 12,
Sri Lanka.
+94 115 335 329/ +94 115 335 281
+94 112 433 618
Visit official web site of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka
