Sri Lanka's government has approved legislation to allow house arrest as an alternative to remand custody and imprisonment, aiming to reduce overcrowding in the country's prisons.
The Sri Lankan government is advancing plans to introduce house arrest as a substitute for traditional incarceration in suitable cases. The Legal Draftsman's office has begun drafting legislation following cabinet approval in June 2025, with the aim of establishing a formal legal framework for home detention options.
The Cabinet approved a proposal from the Minister of Justice and National Integration to develop the bill as a measure to address growing prison overcrowding. During initial review stages, authorities identified additional provisions that would need to be incorporated into the proposed legislation to ensure comprehensive coverage of the new system.
The government has instructed the Legal Draftsman to accelerate the completion of the draft bill by including these newly identified provisions. Once implemented, the legislation is expected to provide judges and authorities with an alternative sentencing option for both suspects and convicted persons in appropriate circumstances. The framework aims to maintain judicial oversight while alleviating pressure on the country's prison facilities, which have faced capacity challenges.
