Sri Lanka’s prison system is facing an unprecedented crisis. As a nation committed to the principles of custody, care, and corrections, the Department of Prisons is struggling under the weight of a rapidly growing inmate population that has far exceeded the physical capacity of its facilities.
According to the latest available data, the daily average prison population in 2024 reached 29,789, while the authorised accommodation capacity stands at only 10,395. This means Sri Lankan prisons are operating at a staggering 286.6% of their designed capacity — nearly three times over capacity, with some individual facilities reportedly running at 300–400% occupancy.
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