The Korea International Cooperation Agency, (KOICA) provides a grant worth four million USD to the Department of Government Analyst through the Ministry of Justice. The Record of Discussion for the project was signed on 8th December 2021 at the Ministry of Justice.
The event was graced by the presence of M. U. M. Ali Sabry, Minister of Justice. The Country Director of the KOICA Sri Lanka Office, Ms. Kang Youn Hwa, and The Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, M. M. P. K. Mayadunne, and the Government Analyst of the Department of Government Analyst, Ms. Gowri Ramanah were also in attendance at the Signing Ceremony.
The project objective is to enhance the capabilities of the Department of Government Analyst in the analysis of Narcotic Drugs in order to provide timely and reliable reports requested by law enforcement authorities in Sri Lanka. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Justice and is targeted to be completed in 2024.
The project outcome includes enhancing laboratory equipment in the Narcotic Drug and Forensic Toxicology Lab, fully training the personnel in narcotic drug and forensic toxicology lab and digitalizing analysis process and evidence management in the Criminal Justice System in Sri Lanka.
Further the project aims to provide laboratory equipment and reference standards in narcotic drug and forensic toxicology lab, conduct invitational training for prosecutors and investigators handling narcotics related crimes, dispatch experts on narcotic drug and forensic toxicology and develop LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System).
KOICA has supported the Forensic Science sector in Sri Lanka previously under the successful project ‘Modernization of Forensic Science in Sri Lanka’ (2013-2017) by providing technical assistance to establish a digital forensic laboratory in the Government Analyst’s Department, upgrading the facilities of the prevailing DNA laboratory in the Government Analyst’s Department and also by establishing a digital training centre at the CID.
This development has led to the rise of digital forensics, the uncovering and examination of evidence located on all electronic things with digital storage, including computers, cell phones, CCTV cameras, ATM machines and networks etc. DNA analysis plays a major role in crime investigation and has been also developed under this project thereby the laboratory is now capable of analysing all most all the forensic DNA analysis.
The technical support and training facilities for the Government Analyst’s Department officers for the previous project was provided by National Forensic Service, Korea which is widely renowned for being a leading forensic institute in the Asian region with highly advance technologies in the field of forensic science.
In addition to the project grant aid support, KOICA is also conducting capacity building programme (2020-2023) for the Department of Government Analyst with the objective to train on more advanced and practical analysis techniques. Continuing the goodwill, the Korean Government has furthered its grant aid by 4 Mn USD towards strengthening capacity building of Forensic Drug Analysis in the Criminal Justice System in Sri Lanka.
At the small ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice to sign the Record of Discussion for the project, the Country Director of KOICA stated, “KOICA has had a long-standing partnership with Sri Lankan Government, and we are always looking forward to supporting our partner countries to make sustainable Development. Through this project the Republic of Korea, expects to support Sri Lanka in strengthening the partnership and cooperation with Sri Lanka to combat against the narcotics related crimes”.
Officials of Ministry of Justice and the Department of Government Analyst in their remarks extended their gratitude towards the government of the Republic of Korea for the constant cooperation. They assured the fullest cooperation and support by the Government counterparts to ensure that the project is successfully implemented.
KOICA:
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), Government agency of the Republic of Korea, contributes to the advancement of international cooperation through various projects that build friendly and collaborative relationships and mutual exchanges between Korea and developing countries and support the economic and social development in developing countries, under the mission of ‘Leave no one behind with People centered Peace and Prosperity.’ For more information about KOICA, visit www.koica.go.kr.
