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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 24 July 2025

10th Parliament· 18 debates· 201 speeches· 60 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1754026625097211 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) 8 speeches
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahman asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to state the functions of the Government Analyst’s Department and the number of current vacancies there. He also sought confirmation on whether delays in receiving Analyst’s reports contribute to court case delays, and asked what measures would be taken to ensure timely issuance of such reports.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that the Government Analyst’s Department is Sri Lanka’s only State forensic laboratory, providing forensic and food science services to courts, law enforcement and other State institutions, while also handling training, procurement evaluations, expert testimony and crime scene work. He said the Department had 125 vacancies as at 30 June 2025 and acknowledged that many court cases are delayed due to late Analyst’s reports. Measures identified to reduce delays include workflow prioritization, recruitment, equipment and laboratory upgrades, training, and improved inter-agency coordination.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary The Minister acknowledged delays in the analysis of case exhibits, noting over 29,432 pending exhibits, including about 17,248 in the Narcotics Division, which receives 200–250 exhibits daily. He said the delays are linked to 322 vacancies in the Sri Lanka Scientific Service and 89 support-service vacancies, with existing officers working beyond normal hours. Measures outlined included urgent recruitment through the Public Service Commission, seeking Cabinet approval to hire science graduates on contract, increasing the approved cadre, filling related technical and support posts, and using new technology to provide analytical evidence in court.

      Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised concerns that staff vacancies and infrastructure shortcomings in the Government Analyst’s Department are delaying reports to courts, causing suspects to remain in remand for extended periods because bail is often withheld pending those reports. He asked whether interim measures could be taken, particularly to allow bail for suspects whose reports have been delayed for several months, while vacancies are being addressed.

      Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary The Minister said delays in Government Analyst reports are creating difficulties in narcotics cases, including determining the proper court forum after an amendment to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance requiring cases involving over 10 grams to go to the Court of Appeal. He noted that Cabinet approval has been sought to recruit 32 contract officers to expedite reports, following increased workload from about 6,000 recent narcotics arrests. He also referenced a COVID-period policy to reduce prison overcrowding, including decisions on cases involving smaller quantities of heroin, which depended on Government Analyst reports.

      Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB

      AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman informed the House that the second supplementary question would be asked by Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

      AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised concerns about suspects arrested for alleged possession or use of drugs being remanded until the Government Analyst confirms the substance, noting that they may later be found not to have possessed an illicit drug but have already faced detention and stigma. He argued that this exposes a legal or procedural gap, particularly affecting drug users rather than large-scale traffickers, and warned that harsher provisions may sometimes be used to keep suspects in remand. He asked the Minister to consider a legal or procedural relief mechanism to address delays and unfair consequences pending the Government Analyst’s report.

      Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that Government Analyst reports are essential in drug cases to establish the substance, quantity, and scientific composition required to prove offences beyond reasonable doubt, while field tests are only preliminary. He acknowledged problems in the current process and said steps would be taken to address them. He added that recent arrests increasingly involve large quantities of drugs, while persons found with under one gram are generally granted bail quickly by courts.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →