The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 [3.22 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill. Many ministers said large drug seizures began only after this government took office. However, maritime seizures were also made under previous governments. This Bill is necessary because drugs largely enter via the high seas, both by ships and boats. I welcome the Bill and extend full support.

¶ 03 Hon. Nizam Kariapper raised a valuable point. Similar proposals and amendments were brought earlier, including by Hon. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as Justice Minister, but implementation faltered amid inter-agency issues concerning the seas. I urge inclusion of those insights and to remove obstacles for proper enforcement.

¶ 04 Despite claims of progress, usage and availability remain visibly high. While arrests have increased, we still see many users in society; expected suppression and success have not materialized at scale.

¶ 05 On prisons, overcrowding is severe, chiefly due to remand prisoners, many on drug-related allegations. To reduce congestion, we must address delays: advice from the Attorney General’s Department is delayed, keeping suspects on remand unnecessarily; Government Analyst reports also take 6–24 months. I urge the Minister and Ministry to establish streamlined procedures to expedite AG advice and analyst reports, so cases can be concluded swiftly—either releasing or prosecuting.

¶ 06 Regarding sentenced prisoners who have filed appeals, last year Hon. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe proposed allowing prospective sentence reductions to account for time during appeal. However, those convicted before enactment do not benefit retrospectively. While I understand concerns about retrospectivity, Parliament is sovereign to legislate. I request the Minister to consider a Cabinet decision and comprehensive amendment to extend relief to such prisoners as well, which would also ease overcrowding.

¶ 07 Thank you for the time.