Laws
Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act 2023
Part XII
s 105

As enactedVersion · As enacted

Contents

Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act 2023

Find in this Act

1Short title and date of operation

IObjects of the Act

2Objects of the Act

IIRights and Entitlements of Victims of Crime and Witnesses

3Right of a victim of crime to a fair treatment
4Right of a victim of crime to receive information on assistance, protection and remedies available to him
5Right of a victim of crime in relation to complaints, inquiries, investigations, &c
6Right of a victim of crime to obtain copies of certain documents
7Entitlements of a victim of crime to receive financial assistance
8Victim impact statement
9Rights and entitlements of a witness
10Making complaints regarding violation of rights or denial of entitlements of victims of crime or witnesses
11Duty of public officers to respect the rights and entitlements of victims of crime and witnesses
12Limitation of rights and entitlements
13Victim Information Register

IIIOffences Against Victims of Crime and Witnesses

14Intimidation to a victim of crime or witness
15Causing hurt to a victim of crime or witness
16Restraining a victim of crime or witness
17Compelling or inducing a victim of crime or witness to leave any place, or causing loss or damage to the property of a victim of crime or witness
18Harassment to a person in the place of employment
19Providing gratification to prevent legal proceedings, &c
20Disclosure of information
21Providing false information
22Disclosure of information by a person providing protection
23Attempting, instigating, aiding & c., in the commission of an offence
24An offence under section 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23 to be cognizable and bailable
25Determination of sentence
26Making complaints in relation to offences under this Part of this Act

IVEntitlement of a Victim of Crime or Witnesses to Seek Protection

27Entitlement to seek protection
28Nature of protection that may be sought by a victim of crime or witness
29Application for protection
30Threat assessment in relation to offences specified in the Second Schedule
31Protection with regard to offences not specified in the Second Schedule
32Duty of court or Commission in relation to proceedings
33Protection to be provided by law enforcement authorities and public officers
34Special measures for vulnerable victims of crime or witnesses
35Continuous needs assessment by Protection Officer and variation of protection arrangement
36Cessation of protection
37Duties of a victim of crime or witness in regard to assistance and protection
38Victims and Witnesses Protection Officers

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

39National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses
40Duties and functions of the Authority
41Powers of the Authority
42Board of Management of the Authority
43Chairman of the Authority
44Disqualifications for being a member of the Board
45Resignation and removal of appointed members of the Board
46Term of office of an appointed member
47Remuneration of members
48Meetings of the Board
49Any act not invalidated by reason of a vacancy in the Board
50Seal of the Authority

VIAppointment of the Director-General and Staff of the Authority

51Director-General of the Authority
52Staff of the Authority
53Appointment of public officers to the staff of the Authority

VIIVictims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division

54Establishment of the Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division
55Protection Division to have islandwide jurisdiction
56Powers, duties and functions of the Protection Division

VIIIThe Assistance and Protection Programme for Victims of Crime and Witnesses

57Assistance and Protection General Programme for Victims of Crime and Witnesses
58Duty of the Authority to share information on the General Programme
59Adopting a specific programme for a victim of crime or witness

IXCompensation and Interim Awards

60Compensation and interim awards to be made on just and equitable basis
61Court may order compensation
62Default of payment of compensation
63Matters to be considered before ordering to pay compensation
64Onus of proving the claim
65Receipt of compensation not to be a bar to civil proceedings
66Appeals
67Authority may make an interim award of money in exceptional circumstances
68Application for interim award of money from the Authority
69Advisory Board to recommend granting of interim awards
70Grant of interim award
71Failure to repay the interim award
72Authority to issue guidelines relating to interim awards
73Non-entitlement for compensation or interim award
74Advisory Board on Awards
75Chairman of Advisory Board
76Disqualifications for being a member of the Advisory Board
77Resignation and removal of a member of the Advisory Board
78Term of office of a member of the Advisory Board
79Remuneration of members
80Meetings of the Advisory Board
81Any act not invalidated by reason of a vacancy in the Advisory Board

XTestimony Through Contemporaneous Audio-Visual Linkage

82Contemporaneous audio-visual linkage
83Supporting an application and giving notice of an application
84Court or Commission to be satisfied with technical and other requirements
85Court or Commission to satisfy itself of accuracy of the linkage, &c
86An accused’s right to a fair trial
87Sri Lankan diplomatic mission to be the remote location outside Sri Lanka
88Order to vary or revoke permission for audio-visual linkage
89A witness deemed to be a witness of the court

XIFinance

90Fund of the Authority
91Protection Fund
92Financial year and audit of accounts

XIIGeneral

93Annual report
94Interference in the exercise of powers, &c
95Offences by a body of persons
96Secrecy
97Assessment of credibility of a testimony
98Officers and other employees of the Authority deemed to be public servants
99Officers of the Authority to be peace officers
100Authority deemed to be a Scheduled Institution within the meaning of the Anti-Corruption Act
101Rules
102Regulations
103Repeal and savings
104Interpretation
105In the event of any inconsistency between the

Schedules

First Schedule Procedure Applicable for the Investigation and Inquiry of Complaints on Violation or Denial of Rights or Entitlements 1. (1)...
SECOND SCHEDULE (sections 29, 30, 31 and 73) Offences in relation to which protection to victims of crime and witnesses is to be provided b...

Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act 2023 · As enacted · Part XII · General

105. In the event of any inconsistency between the

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

Official translationFrom Department of Government Printing, unchanged

Sinhala and Tamil texts of this Act, the Sinhala text shall prevail.

Schedules

Details

Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act 2023 · s 105

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Where this comes from

Department of Government Printing · Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act 2023, As enacted. We last updated this text on 9 Oct 2026.

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