15,000 people in Sri Lankan jails over unpaid fines
Colombo, Aug 15 (IANS) There are over 15,000 people in detention in Sri Lankan jails for failing to pay fines, an official revealed Wednesday.
Over the year 2011, a total of 15,306 people were sent to prison for their failure to pay fine, Xinhua quoted a Prisons Department official as saying on condition of anonymity.
“This was more than the half of the total number of prisoners entering the prisons over the year,” the official said.
Failure to pay fine has become a major contributor to prison congestion in Sri Lanka. To get more space, Sri Lanka is to relocate almost all the major prisons in suburbs including those in the capital Colombo.
The relocation of prisons is also part of Sri Lanka’s plan to ensure international standards to the country’s prison network and offer decent living conditions to the inmates.
Source: IANS
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka and United States discuss Economic Support and Reforms April 19, 2024
- Israeli missile strikes Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions April 19, 2024
- President says he will build a Sri Lanka that the youth aspire to April 19, 2024
- NPP presents 7-point pledge on Easter Sunday Attack to Cardinal Ranjith April 18, 2024
- Dialog Axiata to acquire Bharti Airtel’s telecom operations in Sri Lanka April 18, 2024
