Sri Lanka’s prison population has declined significantly following measures taken to ease overcrowding, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara said in Parliament today (October 22).
According to the Minister, the number of inmates fell from 41,993 on July 1, 2026, to 36,925 by September 30, a reduction of 5,068 inmates.
He said the Government had accelerated the issuance of Government Analyst’s reports by filling vacancies and strengthening the relevant department’s workforce, addressing delays that had contributed to prison overcrowding.
A total of 1,506 Government Analyst’s reports were issued during August and September, the Minister added.
Proposed legislative amendments will require the Government Analyst’s Department to submit reports within two months of receiving items for analysis.
The proposed changes will also empower magistrates to authorise the timely destruction of drug consignments under specified court conditions, instead of requiring the entire consignment to be retained until the conclusion of a case. Photographs and, where necessary, video recordings of the consignments will be taken, and the magistrate will be informed before the destruction takes place.
The Minister stressed that the procedures would be carried out in accordance with the law, without undermining the fundamental rights of accused persons or suspects or their right to a fair trial.
