Attempts being made to incite prisoners and create unrest: Justice Minister

09-Aug-2026

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Certain groups with ulterior motives are attempting to incite prisoners and create unrest, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara said.

“I urge prisoners not to become victims for the interests of a few individuals,” the Minister said during a special statement at the Ministry of Justice and National Integration on August 7.

He said there was a need to convey a message to the relatives, loved ones and friends of prisoners.

According to the Minister, one of the main complaints raised by prisoners over the past year was that they were unable to obtain bail due to delays in reports from the Government Analyst’s Department.

The Government had identified the issue last year and taken steps to address it, he said.

There were 118 vacancies in the Government Analyst’s Department, which had resulted in delays in issuing reports. Consequently, some prisoners had remained in remand custody for nearly a year.

The Government is now taking steps to recruit around 70 additional personnel, while new equipment is also expected to be brought in this month. This would enable reports to be issued more quickly.

The Government plans to issue between 7,500 and 9,000 reports a month in the coming period, the Minister said.

He also said relatives of prisoners had pointed out that bail was being delayed because cases involving more than 10 grams of narcotics required bail to be obtained through the Court of Appeal.

A proposal to amend the relevant law would be submitted to the Cabinet, he said. Under the proposed changes, an opportunity would be created to obtain bail through the High Court in respect of certain drug-related offences.

The Minister further alleged that some individuals with vested interests were attempting to incite prisoners and create unrest.

He appealed to prisoners to remain patient, saying that steps were being taken to resolve their problems.

He said severe overcrowding prevailed in prisons due to inadequate facilities and that the Government was taking measures to improve facilities and reduce overcrowding.

“If you destroy the resources being provided to you by setting them on fire due to the conspiratorial intentions of a few individuals, you yourselves, as prisoners, will have to face the consequences,” he said.

The Minister urged prisoners to cooperate with the Government, which was taking steps to expedite Government Analyst’s reports and improve facilities.

He also appealed to them not to engage in violence inside prisons or destroy their own resources.

“Do not allow yourselves to be used for the interests of a few individuals. Very soon, steps will be taken to issue Government Analyst’s reports and amend the law, thereby creating opportunities for prisoners to obtain bail,” he said.