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Part IV · Entitlement of a Victim of Crime or Witnesses to Seek Protection

28. Nature of protection that may be sought by a victim of crime or witness

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

(1)

The nature of protection that may be provided to any victim of crime or witness under this Part of this Act may include –

(a)

the providing of security to the person or property;

(b)

the provision of temporary accommodation including facilities for sustenance;

(c)

the permanent or temporary re-location with the consent of the victim of crime or witness, as the case may be;

(d)

the conducting of either the entirety or part of the proceedings in camera;

(e)

the concealing of the identity of the victim of crime or witness;

(f)

in the case of a child victim of crime or witness, the adoption of special measures to ensure his best interest and to protect his rights including the right to education;

(g)

the adoption of necessary measures to prevent the victim of crime or witness from being harassed, intimidated, coerced, or influenced by encountering the presence of the accused at the venue of the trial, investigation or inquiry;

(h)

the prevention of the disclosure, including in the print media or electronic media, of the identity and background information of the victim of crime or witness;

(i)

the adoption of appropriate measures to prevent the disclosure of evidence that may be provided by the victim of crime or witness, save as permitted in law for the purposes of pre-trial disclosure;

(j)

where appropriate, the provision of temporary or permanent employment; and

(k)

the adoption of any other measure a court,

Commission, the Authority or Protection Division may consider necessary.

(2)

The Authority or Protection Division may request assistance from a public authority or public officer in providing any measure of protection or assistance referred to in subsection (1) to a victim of crime or witness, and where such request is made, it shall be the duty of such public authority or public officer, unless such public authority or public officer is unable to do so for reasons to be stated, to assist the Authority or Protection Division as requested.

Part V

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

Part VI

Appointment of the Director-General and Staff of the Authority

Part VII

Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division

Part VIII

The Assistance and Protection Programme for Victims of Crime and Witnesses

Part IX

Compensation and Interim Awards

Part X

Testimony Through Contemporaneous Audio-Visual Linkage

Part XI

Finance

Part XII

General

Schedules