By The Pulseline News Desk
The Government is moving to clear a major backlog of 9,000 delayed forensic reports, with arrangements being made to complete the reports and submit them to courts by the end of this month, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala has said.
Wijepala has made the announcement during an inspection visit to Pallansena Prison, where he also met inmates and discussed concerns over their living conditions and other issues affecting prison operations.
The move to expedite the forensic reports could have a direct impact on the country’s overloaded criminal justice system, where delays in investigations and court proceedings can contribute to suspects remaining in custody for extended periods.
Prison safety under scrutiny
The Minister has said discussions during the visit also focused on strengthening the safety of inmates and prison officers across Sri Lanka’s 33 prisons.
He has said similar inspections would be carried out at other prisons around the country to assess conditions and identify issues requiring government intervention.
Particular attention is being placed on emergency preparedness, with authorities acknowledging the serious challenges created by overcrowding in the prison system.
New emergency response mechanism
As part of efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness at Pallansena, a new emergency response committee is being established with representatives from several state institutions.
The committee will include District and Divisional Secretaries, Fire Brigade officers, the Tri-forces, the Special Task Force, a Deputy Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner General of Prisons.
Wijepala has said the main objective of the new mechanism was to protect the lives of inmates.
“The main objective is to protect the lives of inmates,” he has stressed, while acknowledging the severe overcrowding currently affecting prisons.
The involvement of security, emergency-response and administrative authorities is expected to improve coordination during incidents that could threaten the lives of inmates or prison personnel.
Plan to reduce prison population
The Minister has also said the overcrowding problem could not be addressed solely through improved emergency response.
According to Wijepala, the Minister of Justice has already prepared a special plan aimed at reducing the number of inmates.
The combination of clearing delayed forensic reports and reducing prison overcrowding could therefore become an important part of efforts to ease pressure on the country’s correctional system.
While the government has focused on strengthening security inside prisons, the large number of delayed forensic reports highlights a wider challenge facing the criminal justice system — ensuring that investigations, forensic examinations and court proceedings move forward without unnecessary delays.
The government’s ability to complete the 9,000 outstanding forensic reports within the month, as promised, will now be closely watched as authorities seek to address both the judicial backlog and the growing safety concerns created by overcrowded prisons.
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