Prisoner transfer delays leave hundreds of foreign inmates in local jails

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Nearly 200 foreign prisoners are serving sentences in Sri Lankan prisons, as bilateral prisoner transfer agreements have not been established with several countries, according to the 2024 audit of the Department of Prisons.   

Sri Lanka currently has prisoner transfer agreements with several countries such as India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Thailand, Kuwait, Latvia, and Mauritius under the Transfer of Offenders Act. These agreements aim to facilitate the social rehabilitation of offenders by allowing them to serve sentences in their home countries.   

However, the audit reported that agreements with 15 other countries are yet to be signed, creating difficulties in transferring prisoners to their respective nations.   

As a result, additional costs are incurred to provide these foreign prisoners with food and beverages in line with their dietary customs.   

With increased prison capacity, the report noted that congestion could be reduced by transferring eligible foreign prisoners abroad.   

The Accounting Officer of the Prisons Department assured that appropriate measures would be taken in the future, and the audit recommended formal action to expedite prisoner transfers to their home countries.   

Meanwhile, the audit also revealed lapses in reporting procedures for foreign nationals in custody.   

According to the audit, after a foreign prisoner is imprisoned, reports should be sent to the Commissioner General of Prisons, with copies to the embassy of the prisoner’s home country and the Department of Immigration and Emigration. However, documentary evidence confirming that this process was followed for 26 foreign prisoners was not presented to auditors.