New law offers compensation to crime victims

By Ayesha R. Rafiq

Legislation that seeks to afford compensation to victims of crime is being drafted.

Solicitor General C.R. de Silva said yesterday the proposed Victim and Witness Protection law would also provide protection to witnesses in criminal cases.

Deputy Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda said protection would be guaranteed not only to the witnesses but also to their family members.

He said anyone found to be attempting to interfere with, harass or intimidate victims would be committing an offence under the new law.

He said the new law would provide for the setting up of a National Authority on Victim and Witness Protection. Representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Human Rights, the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Policeamong others will serve on the authority which will ensure witnesses are protected and compensation paid.

Ten percent of fines imposed in criminal cases will be remitted to a fund maintained by the authority to pay compensations, Mr. Kodagoda said.

Until this legislation is passed, the Presidential Commission probing human rights violations will set up a special unit for witness protection.

Deputy Solicitor General S. Jayamanne is working on this and several senior police officers are likely to be invited to join the unit, The Sunday Times learns.

The setting up of the witness protection unit and the compensation scheme were highlighted by Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasighe as part of his assurance to the UN Human Rights Council that the government was committed to the protection of human rights.