Page 15 - KDU INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

KDU International Journal of Criminal Justice (KDUIJCJ)
Volume I | Issue II| July 2024

him. Justice Kodagoda illustrates the actual plight of victims and
witnesses of crime in this country in the following manner:
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“In addition to hardships faced by victims of crime and witnesses and the

trauma experienced by them in relation to their participation in criminal
investigations and judicial proceedings, both categories of persons are

highly susceptible and vulnerable to threats, intimidation, harassment,

reprisals and retaliation. Particularly, when victims of crime and
witnesses are called upon to make statements to the police and testify in

judicial proceedings against members of organized crime groups, they

face the possibility of being targeted by such criminals and their
associates who often take revenge by engaging in acts of reprisals and

retaliation. In Sri Lanka, there have been instances where victims of
crimes and witnesses have been murdered. There are also reported

instances where victims having withdrawn judicial proceedings, sequel

to their having being threatened.

Thus, victims of crimes and witnesses are a vulnerable group. In view of

possible repercussions arising out of cooperating with the police and
participating in the criminal justice system, it is not surprising to observe

victims of crime remaining silent without complaining of crimes
committed against them and witnesses of crime choosing to remain silent

instead of volunteering to provide information and thereby cooperating

with criminal investigators and giving testimony in court. Often, Police
Officers who are called upon to investigate instances of serious crime

lament that persons who have witnessed the crime and know the identity

4 Y Kodagoda, ‘Assistance to and protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses- the
dawn of a new era in the Criminal Justice system of Sri Lanka.’
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