Sri Lanka’s prison system is grappling with a mounting crisis as 15,674 suspects are currently being held without forensic reports, according to statistics from the Prisons Department as of January 31, 2026. The delays are affecting suspects across all timelines: 728 have been detained for over a year, 3,706 for six to twelve months, 4,904 for three to six months, and 6,336 for less than three months. Authorities attribute this bottleneck to a shortage of forensic staff, which has slowed the processing of reports crucial for court hearings and bail decisions.
Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara highlighted the problem during a media briefing at the Government Information Department on February 19. He explained that when his government assumed office, the forensic department had 121 vacant positions, which significantly contributed to the backlog of reports. “The quantity of drugs being seized is also high. Therefore, this shortage is having a major impact on the cases being heard in the courts. Before granting bail to a suspect, the court requests reports from the Analyst’s Department regarding the quantity of drugs. This shortage of officers is an obstacle to that,” the Minister said.
The delays are further complicated by changes to legal procedures. Previously, cases involving more than 2 grams of drugs were filed in the High Court, while those involving less were handled by the Magistrate’s Court. However, a legal amendment by the previous government requires cases involving over 10 grams to be filed in the Court of Appeal, with lesser amounts now going to the High Court. Minister Nanayakkara noted that this has made it difficult to determine the correct court for each case, as filings often cannot proceed until the analyst’s report is received. As a result, a large number of suspects remain imprisoned, unable to move forward in the legal system.
The Minister expressed a commitment to addressing both the legal and staffing issues. Plans are underway to amend the relevant laws to streamline case filing and reduce delays, while efforts will also be made to fill the vacancies in the forensic department. These measures aim to ease the burden on the courts, accelerate the processing of cases, and reduce the number of suspects held without resolution.
The backlog highlights a broader challenge within Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system, where operational inefficiencies and understaffed departments create prolonged detentions that affect thousands of lives. Legal experts warn that without prompt reforms, the current situation risks undermining public trust in the judiciary and increasing pressures on already overcrowded prisons.
