The Government is pursuing legal reforms to allow certain individuals to serve prison sentences under house arrest instead of being held in conventional correctional facilities, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet decisions media briefing at the Department of Government Information, Jayatissa said the proposed changes are part of a broader programme aimed at reforming and strengthening Sri Lanka’s judicial system.
He said one of the key objectives of the reforms is to address severe overcrowding in the country’s prisons. The Government is also looking at measures to expedite the release of reports from the Government Analyst’s Department, which can contribute to delays in judicial proceedings.
The Minister said legal provisions are also being reviewed to facilitate bail for individuals who are eligible for release but remain in custody due to existing procedural or legal limitations.
Under the proposed reforms, certain categories of offenders could also be permitted to serve their sentences at home rather than in prison, subject to the provisions and conditions to be introduced through the new legal framework.
Jayatissa further said proposals to increase the retirement age of judicial officers are also being considered as part of the wider package of judicial and administrative reforms.
