AG directs IGP to take immediate steps to release prisoners on bail

The Attorney General has instructed the IGP to take immediate steps due to Covid-19 to develop an action plan and implement directions to release prisoners on bail by Monday, in order to reduce prison overcrowding.

The AG’s coordinating officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne stated that the Attorney General had issued instructions to the IGP on filing cases pertaining to drug-related offences on November 09 and 16.

As there is an urgent need to reduce the number of prison inmates immediately due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation, the Justice Minister had today requested the Attorney General to take suitable actions in this regard.

A special discussion on this was held today between the Attorney General, the Chief Legal advisor to the Ministry of Justice President’s Counsel U. R. De Silva, Director (Legal Range) DIG Ajith Rohana and SSP Ruwan Gunasekara.

It was revealed that the process of releasing prisoners on bail was not being practically implemented as the recommendations of the Attorney General were still not being properly carried out with regard to filing cases for drug offences. 

Therefore the AG instructed the IGP in writing today to develop a proper action plan before December 03 (Wednesday) with regard to all prisoners across the island and to implement it next Monday (07).