President Maithripala Sirisena stated that the people should work together to create a country with no prisoners.
He added that society should look at prisoners in a more empathetic manner, and should work towards changing the circumstances that got them in prison, so that it doesn’t happen in the future.
The President made these statements during a celebration held to mark the Prisoners’ Welfare Association’s 100th year, held at the BMICH yesterday (13).
He further added that all those who have been considered prisoners due to the inability to pay off fines, will be asked to pay a compromised value, upon discussions carried out with each individual.
Furthermore, he added that 43.7% of all prisoners have been remanded as a result of not being able to pay the designated fine.
Sirisena went onto say that 46.4% of all prisoners have been remanded due to crimes related to drugs, and that the number is still increasing to this date.
