Old colonial patterns and structures still continue:

Victim and Witness Protection Bill, a boon to litigants

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said the Government has done a great service to the victims and witnesses following the introduction of the Victim and Witness Protection Bill.

Generally witnesses don’t come forward unless they are protected. This is why most cases ultimately failed and the accused went scot- free. Security is now provided with the protection of witnesses. The victims lose interest in their cases as they drag on, the Minister told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

The Minister said if the victims are given some protection and support, they would not be afraid to speak against the suspect in the case. They have no means to support themselves and attend courts regularly.

“Taking these issues into account is important and commendable in the administration of justice.” Minister Nanayakkara said even without this piece of legislation, we should have had a plan to change the structure of the judiciary. At present we need a judiciary where people could freely participate in the judicial process. The old colonial patterns and structures still continue, he said.

There are also abuses on the part of some judicial officers. The Judicial Services Commission comprises the Chief Justice and two other Supreme Court judges who barely have time to devote to the complaints of litigants or clients regarding judges, he said.