Govt Vows to Expand Prisons Amid Record Surge in Inmate Numbers

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's prison population has surged to 41,000 as a result of the government's intensified crackdown on drug trafficking and organized crime, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Addressing the issue, the Minister said that when the current administration assumed office in 2024, there were already 19,000 inmates in the prison system despite facilities having the capacity to accommodate only around 10,000 individuals.

He said the recent nationwide campaign to eradicate the drug menace has led to a significant number of arrests, with authorities targeting underworld networks, pursuing organized criminal elements and exposing major drug trafficking operations.

The Minister stated that the government plans to expand existing prisons and construct new correctional facilities over the course of this year and the next two years. He said efforts will also be made to increase prison capacity, improve infrastructure and recruit additional prison officers to address overcrowding.

"Through these measures, we will manage prison overcrowding while continuing our operations against drugs and organized crime," he said.

Dr. Jayatissa further noted that some individuals may attempt to disrupt law enforcement efforts as authorities continue to expose underworld activities, drug networks, illicit financial operations and other criminal enterprises.

"Depending on the political connections linked to these operations, there may be attempts to use various situations to obstruct these efforts. Even emergency situations within prisons could be exploited to disrupt the processes of arrests and legal action," he said.

However, the Minister stressed that the government would not be deterred from its objectives.

"The government will not fall into that trap. We remain firmly committed to eradicating the drug menace and dismantling organized criminal networks, and we will continue these efforts without compromise," Dr. Jayatissa added.