“No More Excuses”: court flags tech failure, directs authorities to take action

• Further observes that the absence of such facilities could enable not only large-scale drug traffickers but also serious criminals to escape legal consequences

By Bhagya Silva   

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday directed the Police Narcotics Bureau to immediately inform relevant authorities that Sri Lanka lacks the technical capability to analyze satellite phone data, following a report submitted by the Government Analyst’s Department.   

The Magistrate noted that although the Government Analyst has repeatedly submitted reports to court stating that facilities for analyzing satellite phone data are not available in Sri Lanka, no report has been presented outlining steps taken to address this shortcoming. He further emphasized that it is the responsibility of investigating officers to bring such deficiencies to the attention of the authorities.   

This order was issued after the PNB informed court that satellite phones had been produced as evidence in cases filed by the Police Narcotics Bureau against large-scale drug traffickers.   

At that point, the Chief Magistrate queried from the officers whether Sri Lanka possesses the capability to analyze satellite phones submitted as evidence before court.  In response, officers stated that such data is usually referred to the Government Analyst for reports.  

Reacting to this, the Magistrate pointed out that the Government Analyst has, on several occasions, submitted reports to court confirming the lack of facilities to analyze satellite phone data in Sri Lanka.   

The Magistrate stressed that if such facilities are unavailable, steps must be taken to establish them, warning that otherwise valuable evidence in cases could be lost, allowing offenders to evade the law.   

He further observed that the absence of such facilities could enable not only large-scale drug traffickers but also serious criminals to escape legal consequences.   

Addressing court, the Magistrate stated, “It is of no use repeatedly saying there are no reports or no facilities. As police officers, you must inform the relevant authorities about these shortcomings.”   

The Magistrate accordingly directed the Police Narcotics Bureau to take immediate steps to bring the matter to the attention of the authorities.