Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act 2023 · As enacted · Part VII · Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division
54. Establishment of the Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division
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
There shall be established a Victims of Crime and
Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division (in this Act referred to as the “Protection Division”) consisting of such number of police officers as may be determined by the
Authority, for the purpose of conducting investigations or inquiries in relation to offences under this Act and of providing assistance and protection to victims of crime and witnesses under this Act.
The police officers of the Protection Division shall be appointed subject to the provisions of the Constitution, on the nomination made by the Inspector General of Police in consultation with the Authority.
The Inspector General of Police, in consultation with the Authority, shall determine the criteria for the selection of police officers to the Protection Division, and such criteria shall be published in the Gazette.
The Inspector General of Police, with the concurrence of the Authority, shall nominate a suitably qualified police officer not below the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police as the Head of the Protection Division who shall act under the supervision of a Senior Deputy Inspector General of
Police and a Deputy Inspector General of Police nominated by the Inspector General of Police.
All matters relating to the appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of the police officers of the Protection Division shall be determined in terms of the provisions of the Constitution, on the recommendation of the Inspector General of Police. The
Inspector General of Police may seek the views of the
Authority in making recommendations on any such matter.
The Authority shall make rules to ensure the confidentiality of the affairs of the Protection Division and impartiality and accountability of the police officers of the
Protection Division in the performance and discharge of their duties and functions under this Act.
Every police officer appointed to the Protection
Division shall undertake in writing to abide by such rules.
The Authority shall refer any complaint with regard to any wilful non-compliance with any relevant provision of this Act or any rule made by the Authority under paragraph (a) of subsection (6), by any police officer of the Protection Division to the Inspector General of Police, who shall inquire into such complaint and take such measures as may be deemed appropriate in the relevant circumstances.
A certificate issued by the Authority stating that a police officer of the Protection Division has contravened any such provision or rule shall be prima facie evidence for the purpose of initiating any action or inquiry against such police officer.
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