The Sri Lanka Police has received 75,000 new breathalyser devices, which are currently being distributed to nearly all Police divisions across the country, Police Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler told The Sunday Morning.
This deployment comes amid continued public scrutiny over standard procedures not being followed by the Police in the road accident investigation involving National People’s Power (NPP) MP Asoka Ranwala.
ASP Wootler said the new consignment would resolve earlier shortages that had affected roadside testing, noting that distribution was expected to be completed shortly.
He said the Police had continued to enforce the law even during periods when breathalyser availability was limited, using alternative procedures recognised under existing regulations.
“Yes, there was an issue with availability,” he said, adding that the absence of breathalyser devices did not prevent officers from proceeding with investigations. “Even without breathalysers, Police officers have alternative procedures to follow.”
He explained that when breathalyser testing could not be conducted, suspects were referred to a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for examination, with the resulting medical report serving as evidence.
“When one method is unavailable, you proceed with another. In this case, the alternative is to refer the individual to a JMO for examination,” ASP Wootler said, indicating that the officer originally investigating the accident relating to Ranwala had failed to refer the case to the JMO.
“A medical report serves as the substitute in such cases,” he then added.
The clarification comes in the context of the investigation into a road accident involving Ranwala, where questions were raised about whether a breathalyser test had been administered at the time of the incident.
ASP Wootler confirmed that the alternative medical procedure had been applied in the Ranwala investigation. “Yes, it has been done,” he said, referring to the referral for medical examination.
He added that there had been delays outside Police control. “There has been some delay on the doctor’s part as well in producing the report.”
ASP Wootler explained that investigations were conducted according to established procedures, regardless of the status of those involved, and that medical reports issued by JMOs were admissible in cases where breathalyser testing could not be carried out, including when individuals were hospitalised following accidents.
Wootler further stated that the availability of the new breathalysers would strengthen traffic law enforcement and allow for more immediate testing at accident scenes and during routine roadblocks, particularly in view of the festive season.