The Hon. Mano Ganesan

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I direct this question to the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, my Sinhala pronunciation may not be perfect, but this is a democratic and sensitive issue, and I hope for an appropriate reply.

¶ 03 The Hon. Minister stated recently in Parliament that there is about 300 percent overcrowding in the entire prison system. Against this background, to reduce overcrowding, by the amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 25 of 2024, introduced by former Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, the period a suspect has been in remand before conviction is to be considered as part of the sentence upon conviction.

¶ 04 01. However, as this law operates only from 2024 onwards, will steps be taken to apply this to those who were in prison earlier and whose appeal periods did not lead to a sentence reduction? If not, why?

¶ 05 02. A large number of remand suspects are in custody because forensic laboratory reports are delayed, preventing cases from proceeding. What measures have been taken to expedite legal processes in respect of them?

¶ 06 03. Since general amnesties for minor offences are currently not operative, will steps be taken to reinstate such amnesties?

¶ 07 04. Is there, at present, a process to release, on the basis of good conduct, remand or convicted prisoners over 70 years of age who are not involved in serious offences? If not, why?

¶ 08 Hon. Minister, this is a sensitive issue. Please respond. That is all.