United Republican Front leader Patali Champika Ranawaka has called for a properly-organized programme against drug abuse, rather than sending its victims behind bars.
It does not appear either drug trafficking or the underworld has been curbed, he said, stressing that any number of arrests is of no use without precise preventive action.
Overcrowding is so severe in prisons that at times five-time the capacity is packed into one prison, he pointed out.
Ranawaka was speaking to the media following an observation visit to Colombo and Magazine prisons.
Most of those imprisoned were arrested under ‘Yukthiya’ operation, he said, adding that many remain in prison due to delays in government analyst and court reports and for failing to pay bail money.
Speaking further, he noted that prison officials too face salary, accommodation and other issues in performing their duties.
Ranawaka urged the justice minister and the government to introduce a new method with the use of modern technology as a solution to all these matters.
