News
Forensic analyst’s digital unit server to be replaced
View(s):A process to replace the central storage server that broke down at the Government Analyst Department’s digital forensic laboratory a few months ago has begun.
“The central server broke down three months ago because it was a very old system that we received in 2016 through a donation from Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA),” said Sandya Rajapaksha, the government analyst.
Ms. Rajapaksha told the Sunday Times that tenders have been called for a new server. “Once the process is complete, we will be able to extract the data from the server,” she said, adding that funds have been allocated, but could not confirm as to when the procurement would be finalised.
“There is a backlog, but it only applies to the digital section because not all the data is saved there. Completed cases have already been handed over to the courts,” she said.
The digital section mainly handles cases involving mobile phones, computers, and facial recognition. “The backlog isn’t due to the central server alone but because we are struggling to manage the sheer volume of complaints we receive,” she said.
The department also manages several other key sections, including narcotics, explosives, ballistics, toxicology, DNA, and food analysis. “These areas, mainly forensic and food-related sections, remain operational despite the server issue,” Ms. Rajapaksha assured.
While the government analyst claims that the server breakdown has not impacted cases or court functions, it has been produced as a reason for delays in some cases of national importance.
Earlier this month, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that the investigation into the deletion of emails related to the X-Press Pearl disaster has been delayed because of it. At the time the SDSG told the courts that restoring the system would take at least three more months.
SDSG Tennakoon said that data stored on the server is critical evidence.
He also revealed, at the time, that repairs would cost over Rs. 10.2 million and efforts are underway, in collaboration with a private company, to fix the system. Details on the exact fund allocation and potential vendors for the server were not however divulged to the Sunday Times during its interview with the Government Analyst.
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