Dec 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka Police Department will take steps to computerize fingerprints of over 500,000 people and the new system will come into effect from January 2013.

The Police Fingerprint Bureau is in the process of computerizing the finger prints of around 550,000 persons including hardcore underworld criminals, local media reported.

The local media quoting a senior police officer has said the data has already been fed to the main server.

The new system is expected to help the speedy tracking of suspect's information.

The system would also connect police stations around the country and share information about individuals involved in various criminal activities.

According to the senior police officer, the system is to be launched with the assistance of the Department of Electronics of the Colombo University.