MPs seek police action to ease prison overcrowding

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has sought proposals from the Police Department to address overcrowding in Sri Lankan prisons, citing delays in the legal process that contribute to prolonged remand detention.

The issue was discussed at a recent committee meeting in Parliament chaired by Committee Chairman and MP Najith Indika.

The committee examined procedures followed by the Police Department from the arrest of suspects in drug-related cases to the filing of charges, along with legal and procedural barriers affecting the process.

Delays in concluding drug-related cases and obtaining reports from the Government Analyst’s Department were also discussed. The committee noted that such delays could result in suspects remaining in remand custody for extended periods, contributing to prison overcrowding.

The committee stressed the need to make greater use of modern technology not only to apprehend suspects involved in drug offences, but also to identify and dismantle drug-trafficking networks and trace their illicit financial transactions.

It called for measures to address procedural and legal delays that contribute to prolonged remand detention and the growing pressure on the country’s prison system.