The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I table the answer to that question.

¶ 02 Answer tabled:

¶ 03 (a) (i) Overcrowding is not limited to Kalutara Prison; many other prisons also hold inmates beyond their approved capacity, causing congestion. This has persisted for a long period. Accordingly, new buildings are being constructed in several prisons where space is available, and preparatory work is underway to construct two two-storey buildings at the Kalutara Prison.

¶ 04 (ii) With respect to recruitments to the post of Prison Guard in the Department of Prisons, 317 Guards have been recruited in 2025, along with 13 Army officers on secondment from the Volunteer Force. In addition, the written examination for outside recruitment to 544 Guard vacancies has been conducted and results released, and physical fitness/screening interviews were held on 13, 14, 15 and 20, 21, 22 February 2026. Applications have been called to fill 26 Guard posts by internal promotion; the screening interviews for that are scheduled for March 2026. After three months of training, these new officers will be attached to prisons by end of June.

¶ 05 As at 31.12.2024, vacancies at Sergeant level total 338 male and 18 female. Approval has been granted to fill these. Accordingly, applications have been called from among Guards for promotion on seniority and merit to 225 male and 12 female Sergeant posts, and the applications have been referred to a departmental committee for shortlisting. Thereafter, interviews will be held, with promotions planned for June 2026.

¶ 06 A notice to fill 113 male and 6 female Sergeant vacancies by written examination has been published on the website of the Department of Examinations; online applications are accepted from 25.02.2026 to 25.03.2026. That examination is scheduled for June 2026 by the Department of Examinations.

¶ 07 (iii) This situation prevails not only at Kalutara but across prisons nationwide. Through the above new recruitments and promotions, it will be possible to ease the requirement for officers to work continuously for several days.

¶ 08 (iv) The cadre approved in 2013 for the Department of Prisons is insufficient for the current inmate population and workload, resulting in an overall staff shortage across the department. Due to this shortage, it has been difficult to assign officers to the Kalutara Prison up to its approved strength during transfers; similar difficulties exist at many other prisons. The present shortages will be addressed through upcoming recruitments and transfers. Further, although shortages exist, audit queries have pointed out the issue of officers remaining at one station for long periods. Accordingly, routine transfers are being implemented. Moreover, after 09.01.2026, a further 11 officers have been arranged to serve at Kalutara Prison.

¶ 09 Regarding Galle and Matara Prisons: the approved cadre for Galle is 249, with the current strength about 153; for Matara the approved cadre is 206, with about 151 in position. Thus, there is no staff surplus in those institutions.

¶ 10 (vi) Due to congestion and other resource constraints within prisons, there can be instances of delay in producing inmates before courts; however, this is not a daily occurrence nor solely due to staff shortages. Measures have been taken to minimize such delays. This situation arises at other prisons as well for various reasons. The Department has taken action to purchase new buses, vans, etc. With forthcoming recruitments and promotions, such delays will be further reduced.

¶ 11 Additionally, a staff review is being conducted to determine the number of employees currently required for the Department of Prisons, and approval will be sought from the Department of Management Services to increase the approved cadre accordingly.

¶ 12 If not applicable: Not relevant.