Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe says regardless of the offence or crime committed by an inmate, prison officials must work to protect the dignity of inmates.
The Minister said in the event of minor setbacks in some cases, the Department of Prisons is working towards protecting the rights of inmates in the best possible manner.
The Minister expressed his views at the opening of the ‘Shilpa 2022 Sira Sara’ exhibition today (27) that portrayed the skills and talents of inmates.
Minister Rajapakshe noted that at present, 85 percent of inmates are imprisoned over drug offences while 95 percent of the number are drug addicts.
He noted that in order to eradicate the use of drugs in Sri Lanka, individuals who import and distribute narcotics on large scales must be suppressed.
The Minister said the spread of narcotics in the country has been supported by certain politicians including senior Policemen.
The Justice Minister also stated that several committees have been appointed to gather information related to inmates including identifying individuals with illnesses, the elderly and other diseases to consider them for Presidential Pardon in view of the 75th Independence Day celebrations.
He claimed that under the new Rehabilitation Act that has been submitted to Parliament, a system has been enforced to grant the opportunity for voluntary rehabilitation for drug addicts including opportunities for inmates imprisoned on minor and serious offences to reintegrate into society after rehabilitation.
