Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, said that 17,506 forensic reports related to narcotics offences have been issued during the past two months.
The Minister made the statement while attending an event held to establish a joint mechanism at the Kuruwita Prison.
According to Minister Nanayakkara, 9,061 forensic reports were issued in August, while a further 8,445 reports were issued in September.
He said steps have been taken to accelerate the issuance of forensic reports and introduce necessary legislative amendments, including changes to the Community-Based Corrections Act, as part of measures aimed at reducing prison overcrowding.
The Minister also said that incidents reported in prisons in recent times had not occurred spontaneously, with some allegedly influenced by external factors and others arising from internal circumstances.
He noted that resistance is likely when attempts are made to change practices that have existed in the country for three or four decades, but stressed that reforms must continue despite such opposition.
Minister Nanayakkara said misconduct by a small number of prison officers should not result in the entire prison service being criticised, while emphasising that humanity should not be compromised for short-term personal gain.
He further said the present Government had introduced changes to the country’s political culture and stressed the importance of building a society based on empathy.
The Minister said meaningful change would remain difficult as long as individuals continued to prioritise their own interests, adding that the principle that prisoners are also human beings should extend beyond the prison environment.
He said greater attention to the welfare of inmates could contribute to reducing problems within the prison system.
Minister Nanayakkara also stressed that the introduction of new systems should not allow elements of the previous corrupt system to continue, adding that the enforcement of the law had caused concern among some individuals.