Colombo (News 1st); 1000 inmates who were imprisoned for drug offenses have been released thus far, said Lohan Ratwatte, the State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation.

Speaking to News 1st, the State Minister said on the instructions of the President, the sentences of those on death row will be commuted to life in Prison and the relevant Cabinet paper was presented to the Cabinet of Ministers.

Earlier, the State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte emphasizing the present congestion in prison given the rising numbers of inmates, stated that the government will take measures to reduce the number by at least 8000.

He stated this addressing the inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice chaired by the Minister of Justice Ali Sabry in Parliament on Saturday (05).

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