Only 1,506 of the 4,962 inmates convicted by courts for drug-related offences are currently receiving rehabilitation programmes, the Department of Prisons has informed a Parliamentary committee.

The figures were revealed during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, chaired by MP Najith Indika.

Prisons officials said rehabilitation is provided to inmates referred through court orders as well as those who voluntarily seek rehabilitation.

However, officials said the existing system does not have the capacity to provide rehabilitation opportunities to all inmates serving sentences for various offences.

The committee discussed strengthening rehabilitation programmes for people addicted to drugs as part of efforts to address overcrowding in Sri Lanka’s prisons.

Officials from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board said steps are being taken to expand rehabilitation programmes, recruit additional personnel and strengthen programmes at Divisional Secretariat level across the country.

The committee also discussed difficulties faced by rehabilitated individuals in gaining social acceptance and obtaining certificates of good character.

The need for amendments to relevant laws and regulations to make the rehabilitation process more effective was also highlighted during the discussion.

Officials from the Department of Prisons, Department of Community Based Corrections, Bureau of Rehabilitation and National Dangerous Drugs Control Board participated in the meeting. (Newswire)

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The Free Lawyers Organization has issued a strong warning that proposed bail provisions in the Anti‑Corruption (Amendment) Bill pose serious threats to fundamental rights and will worsen Sri Lanka’s already dire prison overcrowding crisis.

In a statement, the group expressed deep concern over amendments to Section 149 of the Anti‑Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023. The Bill makes all offences under the Act cognizable and non‑bailable, with bail permitted only by the High Court in exceptional circumstances when offences involve bribes of Rs. 100,000 or more, or corruption causing losses or benefits of Rs. 500,000 or more, certified by the Director‑General.

The organization argued that these provisions severely restrict the discretion of Magistrates’ Courts, place substantial power in the hands of the Director‑General at the investigative stage, and create a presumption against liberty from the outset. They warned that the principle that bail should be the rule and jail the exception is effectively reversed, undermining the presumption of innocence and the constitutional right to personal liberty under Article 13.

If enacted, the amendment could lead to prolonged pre‑trial detention of large numbers of individuals, many of whom may ultimately be acquitted or face years‑long trials. This, the group cautioned, would further inflate the remand population and expose more people to inhumane prison conditions, raising concerns under the right to freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

The warning comes against the backdrop of severe prison overcrowding. Data obtained by BBC Sinhala under the Right to Information Act revealed that as of July 4, 2026:

• Welikada Prison: capacity 839 — held 3,400 inmates
• Colombo Remand Prison: capacity 328 — held 2,782 inmates
• Magazine Prison: capacity 499 — held 3,046 inmates
• Negombo Prison: capacity 496 — held 2,403 inmates

Further unrest at Mahara Prison on August 1 highlighted the crisis, with more than 4,100 inmates held. A National Audit Office report published on August 3 identified delays in Government Analyst reports and detention of inmates unable to pay small fines as major drivers of overcrowding. It also warned that mixing drug‑related inmates with others has fueled underworld activity inside prisons.

The Free Lawyers Organization urged Parliament to withdraw or substantially amend the proposed bail provisions, stressing that anti‑corruption measures must be proportionate, rights‑compliant, and realistic about prison capacity.

The group also appealed to the UNDP, European Union (JURE project), Asian Development Bank, Government of Japan, and other partners to examine the human‑rights implications of the proposed bail regime, engage the Government on clearing the backlog of Analyst reports, end detention for minor fine defaults, and ensure reforms remain consistent with international standards.

“Effective action against corruption is essential,” the statement concluded. “It must not be pursued through measures that endanger lives, undermine fundamental rights, and ignore the proven administrative failures of the prison system.” (Newswire)

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Retired Major and Attorney-at-Law Ajith Prasanna has spoken publicly for the first time about his three-and-a-half years in prison, describing overcrowding, poor living conditions, inadequate healthcare and a lack of rehabilitation within Sri Lanka’s prison system following his release.

In a lengthy social media post, Prasanna said he was first imprisoned on February 24, 2023, after being sentenced to four years by the Supreme Court for contempt of court over media statements criticizing court rulings. He said he later received two additional six-month prison sentences from the Court of Appeal and the Colombo High Court on similar charges.

Sharing his experience at the Welikada Prison, Prasanna said inmates housed in cell blocks were locked inside their cells from around 5.30 p.m. until 6.00 a.m. the following day.

“We were unable to use the toilets during the night and had to relieve ourselves into tins kept inside the cells,” he claimed.

Prasanna also described the daily routine, saying prisoners queued for meals which were often bland and lacked sufficient spices and coconut milk. He said inmates slept on mats spread across the floor with only a small space for personal belongings and were required to wear white prison uniforms, keep their hair short and remain clean-shaven.

He said convicted prisoners, except those on death row or with pending appeals, were required to work from 7.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. in areas such as carpentry, masonry, tailoring, farming and soap production. Prasanna said he worked in the tailoring section during his imprisonment.

According to Prasanna, prisoners were allowed to receive home-cooked meals from their families only on a handful of special days each year, including Prisoners’ Day, Christmas, Independence Day, Sinhala and Tamil New Year and Vesak.

He claimed many inmates had no visitors and depended on fellow prisoners for essentials such as soap, toothpaste and medicine.

“Some prisoners do not receive even a bar of soap from the prison for six months,” he alleged.

Prasanna further claimed that inmates suffering from illnesses often failed to receive proper medical treatment.

“Many sick prisoners die inside prison because they do not receive adequate medical care,” he alleged.

He also claimed there was no proper rehabilitation programme, saying, “Those who change, change on their own. Those who don’t, remain the same.”

Prasanna alleged that newly admitted prisoners were subjected to strip searches by prison officers instead of being screened using scanning equipment.

“They are asked to remove their clothes and squat while naked. This is a violation of human rights,” he claimed.

Commenting on prison conditions, Prasanna said Sri Lanka’s prison population had increased from around 27,000 when he entered prison to more than 44,000 today.

“Prisoners now sleep packed together like canned fish. They even fight over space to bathe or wash their clothes,” he claimed.

Prasanna attributed much of the overcrowding to delays in granting bail, prolonged Government Analyst reports in narcotics cases and the imprisonment of drug addicts instead of providing rehabilitation.

He also alleged corruption within parts of the prison system, claiming some prison officers earned money by providing illegal privileges to inmates, including access to mobile phones and narcotics, while poorer prisoners received little support.

Calling for urgent reforms, Prasanna urged authorities to improve prison conditions, expand rehabilitation programmes, speed up forensic testing in drug cases and make greater use of bail to reduce overcrowding.

He added that he intends to dedicate much of his future work to advocating for prisoners’ rights and the welfare of prisoners’ families. (Newswire)

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A deadly clash at Negombo Prison that has claimed more than 25 lives has once again drawn attention to Sri Lanka’s chronic prison overcrowding problem.

According to the Department of Prisons, facilities built to accommodate around 11,000 inmates are currently holding nearly 40,000 prisoners.

The issue has also been highlighted in a recent submission made to the United Nations by a rights group, which alleges that Sri Lanka’s prison population exceeds the official capacity by 286.6%, with some prisons operating at more than 300% occupancy.

The submission further claims that some inmates are confined to as little as 1.2 square metres of personal space, well below international standards.

It also alleges that severe overcrowding has forced some prisoners to sleep in shifts or even beside toilets due to the lack of available space.

The conditions have come under renewed scrutiny following the deadly violence at Negombo Prison, raising fresh concerns over the state of Sri Lanka’s prison system. (Newswire)

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The Department of Prisons states that inmates from ten prisons across Sri Lanka have donated one of their meals to provide relief to people affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Inmates of the New Magazine Prison, Welikada Prison, Bogambara Prison, Matara Prison, Mahara Prison, Kuruwita Prison, Jaffna Prison, Monaragala Prison, Agunukolapelessa Prison, and Batticaloa Prison have contributed their meals for the benefit of the disaster‑affected communities.

According to a Justice Ministry statement, the following are the details of the donation, including the value of donated food items, the prison, and the place of donation.

1. New Magazine Prison – Rs. 450,710.00 – Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat
2. Welikada Prison – Rs. 454,630.00 – Colombo Municipal Council
3. Bogambara Prison – Rs. 367,949.00 – Manikhinna Divisional Secretariat
4. Matara Prison – Rs. 105,046.80 – Matara District Secretariat
5. Mahara Prison – Rs. 386,010.00 – Sirasa/Shakthi Media Network
6. Kuruwita Prison – Rs. 195,150.00 – Yatiyantota Divisional Secretariat
7. Jaffna Prison – Rs. 258,612.00 – Jaffna District Secretariat
8. Monaragala Prison – Rs. 96,471.00 – Monaragala District Disaster Management Centre
9. Agunukolapelessa Prison – Rs. 540,679.00 – Agunukolapelessa Divisional Secretariat
10. Batticaloa Prison – Rs. 209,224.00 – Batticaloa District Secretariat. (Newswire/ AI Image)

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The government has approved the recruitment of 554 officers to address staff shortages in the Prisons Department.

According to Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe, the vacancies were officially published in the Government Gazette on Aug. 29, 2025.

The new intake includes 409 male prison guards, 70 female prison guards, 55 Grade II male jailers, 7 Grade II female jailers, 10 Grade II male rehabilitation officers, and 3 Grade II female rehabilitation officers. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arun Hemachandra, yesterday participated in the official launch of the vocational skills training programs at the Trincomalee Remand Prison.

The vocational skills training programs are being provided under the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Framework, in collaboration with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA).

The program was launched during Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra’s visit to the Trincomalee Remand Prison yesterday, during which he inspected the overall conditions and welfare facilities.

This initiative was made possible through the coordination of the Assistant Superintendent of the Prison, the Chairman of the Prison Welfare Society, and the District Manager of NAITA. 

Deputy Minister Hemachanra said rehabilitation must be rooted in dignity, adding, “By equipping inmates with nationally recognized vocational skills, we are not only offering hope, we are addressing the deeper social crisis that fuels marginalization and recurrence.”

“A prison term should not be the end of a life story — it can be the beginning of a new chapter, if society has the courage to offer a skill. We remain committed to transforming our correctional institutions into platforms for reform, readiness, and return,” he added. (Newswire)

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Prisons Media Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe says Sri Lanka’s prisons currently exceed capacity by 20,000.

Addressing the media today, Jagath Weerasinghe said that the maximum number of prisoners that could be placed in the 36 prisons of Sri Lanka is 12,000.

He said, however, that at present, there were around 33,000 inmates placed in these prisons across the country. 

“Among them, 65% are in remand custody for drug-related offences. We must minimize imprisonment to prevent a major crisis,” the Prisons Media Spokesman said. 

Inquired about the use of mobile phones by inmates, Jagath Weerasinghe explained that most prisons are located in highly populated areas with access to the public.

“Some people throw mobile phones over the prison walls. This has been reported at the Colombo Magazine Prison. Our officers are doing their best to address these situations,” he said. 

The Prisons Media Spokesman further said that the situation has been contained largely with regular search operations being conducted. 

When inquired about imprisoned politicians being placed at the Prison Hospital, instead of prison cells, he said the decision is taken on the recommendations of doctors who have examined the said politicians. 

“Recently, there has been a reduction in such recommendations. All politicians recently imprisoned remain in prison cells,” he revealed. (Newswire)

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An inmate of the Boossa Prison has been reported dead after attempting suicide this afternoon, it was reported. 

According to reports, the inmate was placed in a cell holding special category criminals.

He had attempted suicide, after which prison officers had rescued and hospitalised him.

It is reported that he had died after being admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital. (Newswire)

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Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, held a special discussion this morning with Prison Commissioners and all prison superintendents across the country at the Ministry of Justice.

The meeting focused on pressing issues facing the prison system, including overcrowding, particularly at Kalutara and Batticaloa prisons, the need to improve facilities at alternative locations, and the process of granting pardons to inmates. The spread of misinformation on social media regarding prisons and the promotion of inmate-produced goods were also key topics of concern.

Secretary to the Ministry, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa, Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Nishan Dhanasinghe, senior officials of the Ministry and the Department of Prisons, and all prison superintendents participated in the discussion. (Newswire)

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Five inmates of the Boossa Prison in Galle have launched a protest.

It is reported that the prisoners have been protesting on top of the prison roof since this morning.

The protest is being staged against the officials’ decision to conduct thorough searches within the prison premises. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and the CID have reportedly launched investigations into the assets of all prison department heads.

The move follows complaints from civil groups and individuals, Lankadeepa newspaper reported.

Investigations will cover bank accounts, property, and vehicles, with court orders obtained for full disclosures.

Authorities are also examining alleged links between prison officials and underworld figures, and possible misuse of presidential pardons, the report said, quoting Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala.

A major departmental overhaul, including transfers of long-serving officers, is expected, the report said.

Meanwhile Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala said that several senior government officials, including the Secretary of the Justice Ministry, will be questioned regarding the alleged misuse of presidential pardons to release inmates.

The Developments follow after the CID arrested the Deputy Commissioner of Anuradhapura Prison in connection with the unauthorized release of a convict, while the Prisons Chief was sent on compulsory leave following a Cabinet decision. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police says a probe by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has found that 68 prisoners had been unlawfully released under previous presidential pardons. 

Addressing the media yesterday, DIG Ruwan Gunasekera said that 57 inmates were released for Christmas last year and 11 inmates for Independence Day this year. 

“As soon as the unauthorised release of the convicted banker started making rounds, the CID launched a probe into the matter. The investigations found that 57 prisoners had been released on Christmas Day last year, and 11 on Independence Day this year. The CID appointed a committee to further probe these incidents,” he said. 

DIG Ruwan Gunasekera said that the suspended Prisons Commissioner General, Thushara Upuldeniya, was aware of the investigations and appointment of the committee.

“Amidst this, Thushara Upuldeniya had sent a letter to the Justice Ministry informing that the release of the convicted banker was normal and justified. Instead of verifying whether the prisoner’s name was on the list authorised by the President, he sent a justification to the Justice Ministry. The CID conducted further probes into the matter and took him into custody,” he said. 

DIG Ruwan Gunasekera made the remarks to provide a clarification on the ongoing Police investigations, due to the various comments being made by various persons on the matter. 

Suspended Prisons Commissioner General, Thushara Upuldeniya, and the Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison were arrested and remanded after it was found that convicted banker W. M. Athula Tilakaratne’s release from the Anuradhapura Prison under the 2025 Vesak Day Presidential Pardon was unauthorised. 

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara also confirmed that Tilakaratne’s name was not on the official list of 388 inmates approved for pardon by the President, nor was it supported by court documentation. 

DIG Ruwan Gunasekera said that further investigations are ongoing in the unauthorised releases under the Presidential Pardon system. (Newswire)

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Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the government took immediate action following the unauthorized release of an individual named W. M. Athula Tilakaratne from Anuradhapura Prison under the 2025 Vesak Day Presidential pardon.

The minister confirmed that Tilakaratne’s name was not on the official list of 388 inmates approved for pardon by the President, nor was it supported by court documentation. “It was clear that an irregularity had occurred,” Nanayakkara said. A complaint was lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by the Presidential Secretariat on June 6, the Minister said.

The incident prompted scrutiny of senior prison officials. Nanayakkara noted that while neither he nor the Justice Ministry Secretary has the authority to remove the Prisons Chief, a Cabinet paper was submitted today to authorise the officer’s removal. “During today’s Cabinet meeting, it was decided to place the Prisons Chief on compulsory leave, launch a preliminary investigation, and take disciplinary action based on the findings,” Nanayakkara said.

Accordingly, Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya was sent on compulsory leave following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake earlier today.

In a statement issued June 7, the Presidential Secretariat confirmed that Tilakaratne—convicted in a financial fraud case—was not among those authorized for release. The list submitted by the Commissioner General of Prisons on May 6 under reference number 06/01/Proposal/Pres.Pardon/List/05-12/2025 did not include Tilakaratne’s name.

Under Article 34(1) of the Constitution, the President may grant pardons following a review process involving prison authorities, the Ministry of Justice, and the Presidential Secretariat.

On June 8, the CID arrested the Deputy Commissioner of Anuradhapura Prison in connection with the unauthorized release. The Department of Prisons earlier claimed the release was carried out under standard procedures for Vesak pardons, asserting that Tilakaratne met the general eligibility criteria. (Newswire)

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Director of W.M. Mendis Distilleries, Arjun Aloysius, who was sentenced to jail for defaulting on a payment of Rs. 3.5 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT), has been released two months prior to the completion of his prison term. 

Prison Spokesman Gamini Dissanayake told Newswire that Arjun Aloysius, along with two others convicted in the case, had been released based on good behaviour. 

Gamini Dissanayake said the prison conducts a programme for good behaviour and workplace participation, which enables convicts to reduce 1/3rd of their prison sentence.

As such, Arjun Aloysius and the two other convicts had earned their respective jail term reductions due to good behaviour and were released on Saturday (Feb 23), two months prior to the completion of their prison term, he said. 

In October of last year, the trio were sentenced to a six-month jail term by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for failing to pay the VAT amounting to Rs. 3.5 billion. (Newswire)

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An individual identified as ‘Gadafi’, who was arrested 15 years after having escaped from a prison bus, has been found to have been involved in several more crimes in Sri Lanka. 

Upeka Chandragupta alias Gadafi was wanted for having removed the floorboard of a prison bus and escaping in 2010.

He was arrested 15 years later while hiding in a house in the Mampe area in Piliyandala recently.

Following his arrest, the man confessed to escaping from the prison bus, while it had also been found he was connected to various crimes in the country.

Investigations have found he is the main suspect involved in the robbery of the Regional Development Bank in Kesbewa in 2010, while a case had been filed against him at the Panadura High Court in 2017.

It was also found that following his escape the man had sought refuge overseas and had returned to Sri Lanka many years ago, after which he had been in hiding in several areas.

The 43-year-old man, who is a resident of the Mampe area, has been remanded after being produced in court. (Newswire)

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The Department of Prisons has made special arrangements for visitations for Hindu prisoners in view of the Thai Pongal Festival, celebrated tomorrow (14 Jan).

Accordingly, relatives of Hindu inmates will be provided an opportunity to meet the inmates with arrangements being made at prisons nationwide. 

The department has instructed visitors to only bring food sufficient for one inmate during their visit.

The visitations have been arranged in accordance with health guidelines and according to the prison rules. (Newswire)

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A 26-year-old youth has been sentenced to life imprisonment for smuggling more than 25 grams of heroin into prison.

The life sentence was issued by Colombo High Court Manjula Thilakaratne today. 

The youth had concealed the heroin in a food container which he had taken for his friend at the Colombo Remand Prison in December 2019. 

However, he was arrested by Prison intelligence officials after which the Attorney General had filed charges of possession and peddling.

Following a long trial, the court sentenced him to life in prison after all charges against him had been proven. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to take immediate measures to suppress drug trafficking and underworld activities that are operated within the prison system. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), these instructions were issued during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (Dec 30). 

The President emphasized the need to expedite legal proceedings related to inmates involved in drug and underworld-related activities. 

He also proposed adopting online methods to streamline the judicial process and highlighted the importance of enhancing infrastructure to address challenges associated with such digital systems.

Allegations of certain officials’ involvement in irregular activities within prisons were also addressed during the meeting.

The President instructed that disciplinary actions be supplemented with appropriate legal measures against any officials found to be involved. 

The discussion also focused on vacancies in the Government Analyst’s Department, with participants agreeing on the urgent need to fill these positions promptly. 

The meeting was attended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Justice and National Integration Attorney Harshana Nanayakkara, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Attorney Ayesha Jinasena, Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, and other officials. (Newswire)

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Two among four prisoners who had escaped from the Angunukolapelessa Prison this week, have been apprehended while at the Mawella Harbour last evening.

The two prisoners arrested by the Tangalle Police are residents of Ambalantota and had been imprisoned for the possession of heroin.

The four prisoners had escaped while engaging in outdoor work at the Angunukolapelessa Prison on Tuesday, after which a search operation had been launched in the vicinity.

The prisoners will be handed over to the Angunukolapelessa Prison after the Tangalle Police present facts to the courts. (Newswire)

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