Suspects arrested with less than 100 grams of narcotics by gross weight could be eligible to seek bail from the High Court under proposed amendments to Sri Lanka’s laws on drug-related offences, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara has said.
The proposed changes are aimed at reducing lengthy periods of remand for suspects who remain in custody while awaiting Government Analyst reports. The Minister said the reforms are being considered as part of wider efforts to address overcrowding in the country’s prisons.
The Ministry is also working to speed up the preparation of Government Analyst reports, with a target of processing between 7,500 and 9,000 reports each month. Faster processing is expected to help reduce delays in drug-related cases and ease pressure on correctional facilities.
Minister Nanayakkara made these remarks during a visit to Galle Prison on August 19, followed by an inspection of the Boossa Maximum Security Prison and discussions with prison officials.
He also said the government is establishing an inter-agency coordination mechanism across prisons to respond more quickly to emergencies and address issues affecting inmates and prison administration.
Meanwhile, the Minister said measures are also being taken to strengthen the welfare and protection of prison officers. A special committee has been appointed to consider enhanced compensation for families of officers who die in the line of duty, while recommendations on salary and allowance revisions are currently being reviewed by the Cabinet.
The Minister further stressed that the government is taking a strict approach against organised crime and drug trafficking, including efforts to prevent illicit items from entering prisons.
The proposed bail-related changes are part of broader legal and administrative reforms intended to reduce prison congestion while ensuring that drug-related cases can proceed more efficiently.
