House Arrest Plan Proposed to Ease Sri Lanka's Prison Congestion

COLOMBO (News 1st); Steps have been initiated to strengthen security across all prisons in the country, Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, said.

The Minister stated that the necessary support for the initiative will be provided by the Ministry of Defence and the Police.

He further noted that authorities are acting in accordance with intelligence information received by the relevant agencies.

Minister Harshana Nanayakkara also revealed that the drafting of preliminary legal provisions has commenced to facilitate the placement of certain inmates under house arrest as a measure to address prison overcrowding.

According to information received so far, investigations have indicated that the confrontation involving inmates at the Mahara Prison had occurred with the prison administration, the Minister said.

The Minister made these remarks while commenting on the ongoing developments surrounding the prison system.

He also stated that a programme has been launched to increase the issuance of forensic and analytical reports, with a target of releasing between 7,500 and 9,000 reports per month.