Steps to update laws in several areas for public safety

A special meeting was held at the Ministry of Justice recently to formulate and update laws in several areas identified for public safety in view of the current situation in the country.

Seven key issues were focused on at the meeting chaired by Minister of Justice Ali Sabry and Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekara.

Special attention was paid to the formulation of laws required to destroy stocks of narcotics seized during raids after saving samples for judicial process.

Also, properly amending the laws were discussed as the existing laws are not adequate to deal with new synthetic drugs such as crystal methamphetamine (Ice).

Discussions were also held to enact laws to expedite the investigation and completion of cases to prevent further damage to the victims, especially women and children.

The meeting also focused on increasing the percentage of money added to the Police Rewards Fund for officers involved in drug raids despite the threat to their lives, streamlining phone SIM registration and enacting new property laws strengthening the Money Laundering Act.

Justice Ministry Secretary M.M.P.K. Mayadunne, Public Security Ministry Secretary Major General Jagath Alwis, IGP Chandana Wickramaratne and Senior DIG Ajith Rohana were also present.