2026-02-19 / Debate (Continued): Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Committee and Third Reading 2026-02-19
Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera expressed support for the Judicature (Amendment) Bill while noting that maritime drug interdictions predate the current government. He raised concerns about prison overcrowding, attributing it largely to remand prisoners on drug-related charges being held for extended periods due to delays in obtaining advice from the Attorney General's Department and reports from the Government Analyst, and called for procedures to expedite both processes. He also urged the Minister to pursue a Cabinet-backed amendment to retroactively extend the sentencing relief introduced by Hon. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, which currently allows prospective reduction of sentences to account for time served during appeal but excludes those who appealed prior to the amendment's enactment.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I support the Judicature (Amendment) Bill. Many speakers said large drug seizures began only under this Government; in truth, maritime interdictions were also made under previous governments. Still, these amendments are needed to combat the maritime drug pipeline.
I wish to raise prison overcrowding. Visiting prisons, we see extensive congestion, largely due to remand prisoners—many on drug-related charges—remaining for long periods because of delays in obtaining advice from the Attorney General’s Department and reports from the Government Analyst. Sometimes AG’s advice is delayed for months; Government Analyst reports can take six months to two years. Please establish procedures to expedite both, so cases can be swiftly filed or suspects released, easing congestion.
Also, last year Hon. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe introduced a measure allowing sentences to be reduced prospectively to reflect time spent during appeal. However, those who appealed before the amendment receive no benefit. Parliament is supreme; I urge the Minister to consider a compassionate, Cabinet-backed amendment to extend this relief retroactively, which would also reduce overcrowding.