Over 72% of Sri Lanka’s Prison Population Awaiting Trial as Overcrowding Crisis Deepens
August 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s prison overcrowding crisis has come under renewed scrutiny, with the latest official figures revealing that nearly three-quarters of inmates are being held on remand while legal proceedings against them remain unresolved.
The issue has gained fresh attention following recent disturbances at Negombo and Mahara prisons, prompting the authorities to step up efforts to expand prison capacity and strengthen the country’s correctional services.
According to the latest statistics, the total prison population stood at 39,516 inmates as of 1 August 2026. Of that number, 28,646 prisoners—more than 72 per cent—are classified as unconvicted inmates awaiting trial or sentencing, highlighting the heavy burden placed on the prison system by prolonged court proceedings.
The remand population comprises 26,935 male and 1,711 female inmates. Meanwhile, there are 10,870 convicted prisoners, including 10,588 men and 282 women. Overall, prisons are housing 37,523 male inmates and 1,993 female inmates.
Concerns over overcrowding intensified after a major disturbance at Mahara Prison on 1 August, during which one inmate lost his life and six others sustained injuries. The unrest began at around 4.00 p.m. on Saturday and continued for more than 13 hours before security forces restored order by 6.00 a.m. the following day.
The Committee for the Protection of Prisoners’ Rights has blamed the incident on the severe overcrowding within the prison system. Its Chairman, Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera, alleged that conditions inside correctional facilities have steadily worsened as inmate numbers have far exceeded their intended capacity.
Perera pointed out that Mahara Prison, which was designed to accommodate 991 inmates, is currently holding 4,447 prisoners. He argued that the prison’s existing infrastructure and facilities are unable to cope with such numbers, resulting in deteriorating living conditions and increasing pressure on both inmates and prison staff.
The Government has also acknowledged the scale of the challenge. Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa recently stated that the country’s prison population has risen from around 28,000 to more than 40,000 since the present administration assumed office in 2024. He attributed much of the increase to intensified anti-narcotics operations carried out under the “Ratama Ekata” programme, which have led to a sharp rise in arrests.
With inmate numbers continuing to climb, the prison system has come under mounting strain, prompting the Government to accelerate a range of infrastructure and staffing initiatives aimed at easing congestion and improving prison conditions.
As part of these measures, additional prison officers are being recruited while several expansion projects are progressing across the country. Construction of new facilities at Pallekele Prison has been completed, while newly built structures at Pallansena Prison have also been brought into operation. The Mahara Prison storage complex was completed in 2025, and temporary accommodation units are nearing completion at Welikada, Magazine, and Colombo prisons to provide additional space for inmates.
The Minister further revealed that a high-security prison facility has been established within the Welisara Navy Camp to house inmates requiring enhanced security arrangements.
Looking ahead, the Government plans to continue expanding the prison network, with further development projects scheduled between 2026 and 2029 at Pallekele, Wataraka, Kalutara, Kuruvita and Matara, as part of broader efforts to address chronic overcrowding and improve the country’s correctional infrastructure.
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