As per the Act, the duties and functions of our division are as follows
- Promoting the recognition of and respects for the rights and entitlements of victims of crime and witnesses
- Creating awareness among the public regarding the rights and entitlements of the victims of crime and witnesses are directly related to the mandate of the Programme unit of our division
- Reviewing existing policies, legislations and the practices and procedures being adopted and followed by various authorities, to ensure their conformity with recognized standards and best practices relating to the promotion and protection of rights and entitlements of victims of crime and witnesses, and based on such review, to make recommendations regarding the adoption, amendments and applications of appropriate policies, legislations and practices
- Taking measures to sensitize public officers involved in the enforcement of the law, including officers of the Sri Lanka Police, the Prison Department, government medical officers and public officers associated with probation and social services, on the need of victims of crime and witnesses and on special needs of particular categories of victims of crime, arising as a result of the harm inflicted or possible harm that many be inflicted on them due to their age, gender, religion, language, cultural beliefs and practices, ethnics or social origins or disabilities or any other reasons
- Promoting and ensuring the observances and application of codes of conduct and recognized norms and best practices relating to the procedures of the rights and entitlements of victims of crime and witnesses, by Courts, Commissions, any other tribunals, public officers and employees of statutory bodies involved in the enforcement of the law, including officers of the Sri Lanka Police, the Prison Department, government medical officers and officers of government social service institutions
- Conducting or promoting the conduct of research into ways and means in which
- incidents of crime can be reduced;
- impact of specific crimes on victims could be minimized or prevented;
- victims of crime can be effectively treated, rehabilitated, counseled, assisted, compensated and protected;
- a conducive environment could be created for witnesses to make statements before the law enforcement authorities or to testify fearlessly at proceedings before courts, any Commissions and other tribunals; and
- assistance and protection could be provided to victims of crime and witnesses;
- recommend to appropriate government
