Courtesy The Daily Mirror

While raising the importance to establish a Presidential Task Force to resolve existing problems in prisons, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said a large number of people are in remand custody due to delays in the Analyst, Attorney General and Police Departments.

President made these remarks at a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (10) to look into shortcomings and issues in prisons and to recommend solutions.

The relevant agencies including Customs, Police, Prisons and Rehabilitation should establish a Presidential Task Force and take steps to resolve existing problems, the President pointed out.

More than 12,000 people are incarcerated due to drug addiction. President emphasized the need to pay special attention to them and formulate a rehabilitation programme.

President Rajapaksa also instructed relevant authorities to look humanely at grievances of the prisoners and address them immediately by providing necessary assistance to them.

Moreover, President Rajapaksa instructed officials to explore the possibility of constructing pre-fabricated prisons in the so-far identified locations in order to eliminate overcrowding in prisons. 

The President also stressed the need to study the models of modern foreign prisons and take immediate measures to provide facilities. (Sheain Fernandopulle)