9,000 delayed forensic reports to be completed this month - Minister Wijepala

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says all necessary arrangements have been made to complete and submit approximately 9,000 delayed forensic reports to the courts within this month.

The Minister made the remarks today (15) during an inspection visit to the Pallansena Prison, where he also held discussions with inmates regarding issues affecting them.

Minister Wijepala said plans are underway to visit and inspect other prisons across the country and discuss the problems faced by inmates and prison officials.

Speaking further, the Minister said the visit to Pallansena Prison was primarily aimed at establishing a prison committee to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates.

He said a discussion had recently been held under the leadership of the President, with the participation of the Minister of Justice and other officials, focusing on how to safeguard the lives of inmates in all 33 prisons across the country.

“We are establishing a committee today, with its main objective being to ensure the safety of prisoners,” the Minister said.

He acknowledged that overcrowding remains a major issue in the country’s prisons, adding that the Minister of Justice has prepared a plan to address the problem.

The Minister said discussions were held with inmates at Pallansena Prison about their concerns, including food, sanitation and delays in forensic reports. According to him, inmates had specifically requested that forensic reports be expedited.

“We hope to present these individuals before the courts as quickly as possible and enable them to return to society as citizens,” he said.

The Minister added that the concerns of prison officers and the conditions at the prison hospital were also examined during the visit.

He said a positive relationship had been established with the inmates, who had expressed appreciation for the programme being implemented by the Minister of Justice.

Minister Wijepala further said the authorities were also examining various claims and concerns raised outside the prison system.

He stressed that measures are being taken to ensure that the families of inmates are not subjected to unnecessary hardship and that steps are being taken to prevent similar problems from arising in prisons in the future.