As enacted

Contents

1. Short title and date of operation

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

(1)

This Act may be cited as the Assistance to and

Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No. 10 of 2023.

(2)

The provisions of this Act, other than this section, shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may by Order published in the Gazette appoint (in this Act referred to as the “appointed date”).

(3)

The provisions of this section shall come into operation on the date on which the Certificate of the Speaker is endorsed on the Bill.

Part I

Objects of the Act

Read on from Part I

Part II

Rights and Entitlements of Victims of Crime and Witnesses

Read on from Part II

Part III

Offences Against Victims of Crime and Witnesses

Read on from Part III

Part IV

Entitlement of a Victim of Crime or Witnesses to Seek Protection

Read on from Part IV

Part V

Establishment of the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses

Read on from Part V

Part VI

Appointment of the Director-General and Staff of the Authority

Read on from Part VI

Part VII

Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division

Read on from Part VII

Part VIII

The Assistance and Protection Programme for Victims of Crime and Witnesses

Read on from Part VIII

Part IX

Compensation and Interim Awards

Read on from Part IX

Part X

Testimony Through Contemporaneous Audio-Visual Linkage

Read on from Part X

Part XI

Finance

Read on from Part XI

Part XII

General

Read on from Part XII