A range of issues has emerged within Sri Lanka’s prison system, primarily concerning
inadequate infrastructure and the lack of justice-centred treatment for prisoners. In
many prisons, the number of inmates exceeds the designed capacity by two to three
times, forcing detainees to endure harsh living conditions with inadequate sanitation
facilities that fail to meet basic human needs. These conditions have had a detrimental
impact on the physical and mental health of the inmates.
Most prison infrastructure dates back to the colonial era, and due to years of neglect
and lack of essential maintenance, dilapidated buildings, inadequate lighting, poor
ventilation, and underdeveloped sanitation systems are now common features with-
in the prisons. Due to resource shortages and administrative inefficiencies, essential
maintenance and renovation efforts have been hindered, creating an unsafe environ-
ment for both inmates and prison staff.
In addition to infrastructure issues, there is also a severe shortage of staff. Accord-
ing to the 2021–2025 Prison Reform Implementation Plan, by 2025, approximately
1,800 staff vacancies will have been reported. This shortage has led to challenges in
ensuring prisoner safety, providing healthcare, distributing food, and managing other
essential maintenance operations. As a result of this staff shortage, inmates have been
deprived of adequate access to essential services.
The national legal framework governing Sri Lanka’s prisons is largely based on the
Prisons Ordinance of 1877 and its related regulations. These colonial-era laws have
now become obsolete and are inadequate to meet modern human rights standards.
Sri Lanka has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (IC-
CPR), the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), and the Standard
Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), which establish
international human rights norms and minimum standards for the treatment of pris-
oners. However, in practice, these international standards appear to be largely disre-
garded in matters concerning prisoners. The continuous application of the Prevention
of Terrorism Act (PTA) has subjected detainees and those held under its provisions
to distressing and precarious living conditions. These laws, which lack adherence to
fundamental international legal standards, have led to prolonged detention without
charge or trial, restricted access to legal remedies, and an increased risk of torture and
abuse, particularly for Tamil political detainees.
This systemic failure is further evident in the rising number of prison-related deaths.
From January 2024 to May 2025, at least 173 prison deaths have been reported due to
neglect of illnesses, suicides, assaults, and other hazards. Most of these deaths high-
light the severe lack of healthcare facilities within the prisons. The death of an inmate
at Boossa Prison, along with incidents involving the forced consumption of harmful
substances and other related deaths, underscores the urgent need for proper medical
care and supervision for prisoners.
Neglecting vulnerable categories of inmates within the prison system exposes them
to various forms of abuse. In the women’s prison section, overcrowding, lack of sani-
tation facilities, compromised privacy, and limited access to maternal healthcare are
among the challenges faced by female inmates. Inmates with disabilities often have
to rely on assistance from other prisoners due to inadequate accessibility and the lack
of trained care staff. Transgender inmates face a heightened risk of systemic discrim-
ination and harassment due to the absence of policies addressing gender identity. El-
derly inmates also face a lack of age-appropriate medical care and support. Prisoners,
including political detainees, often face language barriers, solitary confinement, and
challenges in coping with systemic differences.
Justice has not been served for the Mahara and Welikada prison killings, and the vic-
tims continue to await accountability. Legal proceedings related to the Mahara Prison
killing have been suspended, making it impossible to identify those responsible. This
undermines both justice and accountability. Recent extrajudicial killings involving the
police, particularly the shootings in Kakadu Island, highlight the extent of account-
ability gaps within law enforcement institutions.
This report emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Sri Lanka’s
prison system. Key measures include updating the existing legal framework to align
with international human rights standards, repealing the PTA, addressing prison
overcrowding and improving infrastructure, increasing medical staff and healthcare
services, enhancing protection for vulnerable groups, and establishing independent
oversight and accountability mechanisms.
Ensuring the dignity, rights, and safety of prisoners in Sri Lanka, restoring public
confidence in the justice system, and complying with international human rights ob-
ligations can only be achieved through policy continuity, adequate resources, and
multi-stakeholder cooperation.
