Sri Lanka's Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has committed to completing 9,000 delayed forensic reports within August, while addressing broader prison system challenges during an inspection of Pallansena Prison.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala announced plans to resolve a significant backlog in the forensic system, stating that all necessary arrangements are in place to complete 9,000 pending forensic reports before the end of this month and submit them to court. The commitment was made during an inspection visit to Pallansena Prison, where the Minister met with inmates and their relatives to discuss concerns affecting the prison population.
During the visit, Wijepala emphasized the importance of maintaining safety standards across Sri Lanka's 33 prisons for both inmates and correctional officers. He indicated that similar inspection tours will be conducted at other facilities nationwide to assess conditions and address grievances raised by those in custody.
Beyond the forensic backlog, the Minister revealed plans to establish a new emergency response committee at Pallansena Prison comprising District and Divisional Secretaries, Fire Brigade personnel, military representatives, the Special Task Force, senior police officials, and the Commissioner General of Prisons. According to Wijepala, this body will focus on protecting inmate welfare while acknowledging the severe overcrowding challenges facing the prison system.
To address capacity issues, the Minister noted that the Justice Ministry has already developed a specialized plan aimed at reducing inmate populations across facilities. These coordinated measures reflect efforts to tackle multiple systemic challenges within Sri Lanka's correctional infrastructure simultaneously.
