NCJ Number
106507
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Sri Lanka has experienced new forms of criminality in recent years. Its efforts to deal with this criminality includes measures directed at three major new types of crimes: terrorism and hijacking, drug law offenses, and environmental crimes.
Abstract
Increased terrorist activities in the late 1970's led to the enactment of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in 1979. Perpetrators of offenses defined in this law are triable without a preliminary inquiry and without a jury before a judge of the highest court. Confessions not made under the appearance of duress are admissible. Defendants have other protections as well. The increase in drug trafficking led in 1984 to the passage of one of the most stringent drug law amendments in the world. The death penalty or life imprisonment is the sentence for making, trafficking, importing, or exporting more than 500 grams of opium and 2 grams of morphine, cocaine, or heroin. Major drug offenses are nonbailable. Sri Lanka cooperates with other nations in drug law enforcement. Efforts at prevention and rehabilitation have also increased. In the area of environmental offenses, Sri Lanka now has nearly 50 separate laws. In addition, a National Environmental Act was passed in 1980 and is now in the process of being strengthened. Bribery and corruption are among other crimes receiving increased attention. The limited amount of resources available for the criminal justice system is a source of many of its problems. However, alternatives to incarceration and improved research capabilities have been developed in recent years.