Karu says only 4% accused of crimes convicted

Opposition United National Party (UNP) Gampaha district MP Karu Jayasuriya has highlighted that only a mere 4 per cent of accused in criminal cases are convicted in the country.

The MP urged the Government to study the situation and take remedial measures.

At a press conference held in the office of the MP, he pointed out that the penalizing rate in India is around 75% and in Europe it is around 95%.

The MP also said that while such a low penalising rate prevails, 500,000 Sri Lankans had been convicted at least for one offence by 2011.

MP Jayasuriya also said that local politicians are behind certain crimes and the rule of law does not prevail in the country due to the influences of the politicians.