Sri Lanka government decides to release suspects of possessing less than 2g of drugs

Sri Lanka government has decided to consider the suspects of cases of possessing less than two grams of heroin as drug addicts and to grant them bail, fine or rehabilitate them as a measure to reduce the congestion in prisons.

Minister of Prison Reforms and Prisoners' Rehabilitation Sudarshani Fernandopulle further stated that over 7,000 drug-related convicts and suspects are in Sri Lanka's overcrowded prisons now. In the prisons built for about 12,000 prisoners, over 30,000 have been housed. 

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 cluster in prisons has exceeded 1,000 now. Prisoners under stress try to escape or agitate seeking release. 

He is one of us (A man on the roof top of the Welikada prison of Sri Lanka)

This man is on the roof top of the Welikada prison of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo since Wednesday. He is not visible to the Baseline Road which runs in front of the prison. I captured him from the second floor of Nagarodaya Hall where I am participating in a training.

He seems a convicted man who has something to say to the world. But only a few local media reported the story even though very carelessly without digging into find the man's voice. 

He is one of us. He has a story to tell. He wants the world listen to him. That's why he is on this roof top.

Read the full story in Sinhala

Eight years in remand for 100 miligrams of heorine in Sri Lanka

(November 03, Colombo - Lanka Polity) A suspect charged with having 100 milligrams of heroine was in remand custody without been convicted for eight years in Sri Lanka. 

His case had been diverted to High Court instead of Magistrate Court by mistake and the poor man found no justice until his plight was observed by Wattala Magistrate during an official visit to Mahara Prison.

The man identified as L.A. Sarath Kumara was in remand since August 10, 2001, prison sources said. The Magistrate has directed the court to consult the Attorney General to acquit him. Until then the suspect was granted personal bail of Rs. 50,000.