Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, has conducted an inspection tour of the Government Analyst's Department in Battaramulla.

During the visit yesterday (16), the Minister directly observed the process and current progress of issuing analyst reports related to narcotic substances. 

Inquiring from the officials working in the laboratories concerning these operations, the Minister looked into the measures taken for the prompt issuance of reports as well as the available facilities, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration.

Having also inspected the process of computerizing analyst reports, the Minister emphasized that expected results can be achieved by fulfilling responsibilities to the best of one's ability, and that the dedication of everyone is essential toward this end.

In expediting judicial proceedings as well as minimizing the number of inmates held in prisons, delivering analyst reports within the stipulated timeframe is a critical factor. In the past, due to existing vacancies and limitations in facilities at the Government Analyst's Department, severe delays had occurred in issuing reports, the statement said. 

Following the assumption of power by the current government, these issues were identified, and steps have been taken including filling vacant posts, providing necessary facilities, and granting allowances for officers engaged in nighttime duties, thereby establishing the necessary background to accelerate the issuance of analyst reports.

Expressing his gratitude to the officials dedicated to the task of promptly providing analyst reports, the Minister requested that any obstacles and difficulties encountered in the line of duty be communicated to him, further stating that maximum intervention would be provided to address them.

It was revealed during the visit that, under the special program to expedite the issuance of hitherto accumulated reports, the Government Analyst's Department has completed issuing analyst reports pertaining to samples received up to August 2026 for narcotic substance quantities under 5 grams. The work on issuing the remaining reports has also been accelerated.

Furthermore, the Minister stated that necessary measures and mechanisms have now been put in place to achieve the anticipated targets by January 31, 2027, enabling the timeframe for issuing analyst reports to be reduced to three months.

Giving necessary instructions to maintain the issuance of analyst reports in a more systematic and efficient manner, as well as directly reviewing ongoing progress, were carried out during this inspection tour, the statement added.

Acting Government Analyst Kamini Perera, along with a group of officials from the Government Analyst's Department, participated in this occasion.