Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, has stated that Sri Lanka’s prisons are currently overcrowded, holding nearly four times the number of inmates they were designed to accommodate.

The Minister made these remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the new Pugoda Court Complex this morning (24).

He noted that Sri Lanka's prisons, designed to accommodate 10,375 inmates, are currently housing approximately four times that number. 

Minister Nanayakkara said the severe overcrowding has contributed to certain groups creating various issues within the prison system, adding that the recent fatal clash at the Negombo Prison serves as a clear example.

He stated that the necessary measures have already been taken to address such incidents.

The Minister further said that the government is taking steps to strengthen the Government Analyst's Department by providing facilities, including the required human resources facilities to make the department efficient, as delays in issuing Government Analyst's reports have significantly contributed to prison congestion.

He added that the government is also taking steps to address the challenges faced by officers of the Department of Prisons and to provide them with the necessary facilities.

Minister Nanayakkara further stated that the government is working to introduce the necessary legal amendments and technological measures, such as house arrest system, to ease prison overcrowding.