Sri Lanka

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CountrySri Lanka
Ministry responsible
Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms
Prison administration
Department of Prisons
Contact address
150 Baseline Road, Colombo-9, Sri Lanka
Telephone
+94 11 4677177
Fax
+94 11 4677180
Website
Email
prisons@sltnet.lk
Head of prison administration (and title)
Thushara Upuldeniya
Commissioner General of Prisons
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
29 282
at 4.9.2024 (national prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
135
based on an estimated national population of 21.73 million at beginning of September 2024 (from United Nations figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
65.2%
(4.9.2024)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
4.4%
(4.9.2024)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.1%
(15.10.2013 - under 18)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
1.4%
(mid-2018)
Number of establishments / institutions
60
(2020 - 4 prisons, 18 remand prisons, 10 work camps, 2 open prison camps, 2 correctional centres for young offenders, 1 training centre for young offenders, 23 lock-ups)
Official capacity of prison system
13 241
(August 2023)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
215.6%
(August 2023)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 16,412 87
2002 17,905 93
2004 20,661 105
2006 22,867 114
2008 26,124 128
2010 26,984 130
2012 23,603 112
2014 19,108 89
2016 17,478 83
2018 20,384 96
2020 25,991 121
2000 16,412 87
2002 17,905 93
2004 20,661 105
2006 22,867 114
2008 26,124 128
2010 26,984 130
2012 23,603 112
2014 19,108 89
2016 17,478 83
2018 20,384 96
2020 25,991 121

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                                    SRI LANKA

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2020

8,245
11,216
13,890
9,062
17,256

50.2%
50.7%
51.5%
47.6%
66.4%

44
57
67
42
81

2024

19,094

65.2%

88

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                                     SRI LANKA

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2020

662
906
1,254
879
916

3.9%
3.8%
4.7%
4.6%
7.3%

3.5
4.5
6.0
4.1
4.3

2024

1,290

4.4%

5.9

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate