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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Wednesday, 21 January 2026

10th Parliament· 11 debates· 228 speeches· 66 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23242 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  4. 4 Oral question Oral Question No. 2 (812/2025) - Prison overcrowding 7 speeches
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahuman asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to provide details on the most recent committee appointed to examine prison overcrowding in Sri Lanka. He sought the committee’s appointment date, membership, recommendations to reduce overcrowding, and the measures planned for implementing those recommendations, or an explanation if such information could not be provided.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that a Cabinet Memorandum to establish a consultative mechanism to regularize sentencing was submitted on 14 May 2025 and approved on 2 June 2025, with the Committee first meeting on 18 July 2025. He listed the Committee’s members, including representatives from the judiciary, Parliament, Attorney-General’s Department, academia, police, medical services, and the Ministry. He said the Committee is still functioning and has not yet submitted recommendations, so related follow-up matters do not arise.

      Justice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised concern over severe prison overcrowding, noting that facilities designed for about 10,500 inmates or suspects currently hold more than 38,500 people. He asked the Minister whether measures would be implemented soon to reduce overcrowding and ease pressure on prison facilities, including healthcare.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister acknowledged prison overcrowding and said the Government is expanding capacity in existing facilities, adding new sections, and repurposing suitable State-owned buildings rather than waiting for new construction. He identified delays in Government Analyst reports, caused by staff shortages, as a major factor in remand congestion and said recruitment is under way to speed up reports and bail applications. He also noted plans to expand community-based corrections, which diverted 16,000–17,000 offenders last year, and to amend drug-related bail laws so High Courts can grant bail instead of requiring applications only to the Court of Appeal.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB

      AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised concerns that detainees are being held for years without Government Analyst’s reports, preventing bail and contributing to prison overcrowding. He also questioned whether a concrete rehabilitation programme exists for drug-addicted youth in prison to support their reintegration into society and prevent further criminalization.

      Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB

      AI summary The Minister said prison overcrowding and delays in Government Analyst reports were longstanding issues, noting that facilities built for about 10,500 inmates held around 28,000 when the Government took office. He stated that approval had been obtained to recruit 50 officers for the Government Analyst’s Department, with further vacancies to be filled, aiming to issue reports within three months. He also said drug-related bail delays arise because current law sends cases involving over 10 grams to the Court of Appeal before a GA report clarifies jurisdiction, and that amendments are being pursued to allow High Courts to grant bail. He added that voluntary rehabilitation programmes exist under the Ministry of Public Security, while acknowledging complications involving offenders who also possess drugs.

      Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →