Commissioner of Prisons and Departmental Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake claimed that since the Government does not currently possess the funds to construct new prisons, a system involving house arrest is to be implemented soon.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (15), Ekanayake said that although people unable to pay fines are released under special amnesty on special occasions like on Poya Days, it has become an issue that they are imprisoned again as criminals within a short period of time. It was also revealed that the number of drug-related offenders has increased swiftly.

 “The Government doesn’t have the required funds to build prisons. Therefore, the plan is to implement the house arrest system. Also, four buildings are being constructed in Dalupotha, Negombo, to house remand prisoners.”

Earlier, Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya said that the capacity in prisons has increased and that the figure is 259% while the figure in some prisons has increased from 300% to 400%. Although there is only room sufficient for 11,762 inmates in the current prison houses, it was stated that there are currently 26,791 inmates. These facts were revealed when officials of the department were called before the Committee on Public Accounts. 

Of the 17,502 remanded suspects, 10,470 are accused of drug-related charges. The department said that 3,569 of 9,289 inmates are drug-related offenders. Among them, it was further highlighted that 1,309 prisoners are currently in jail for not being able to pay fines.