Producing inmates in courts suspended

Legal proceedings via video technology

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Producing prison inmates in courts has been temporarily suspended with their legal proceedings  being carried out using video technology, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayaka said.

.He said the granting of bail or postponing of hearing dates would be done in this manner while the accused remains in prison.  

Mr. Ekanayake said an attorney-at-law would appear in this process. “The prisons officials will produce an inmate in a court if a Judge is of the view that the accused is needed to be produced in the court,” he said adding that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.   According to prison statistics there are about 15,000 remanded prisoners in 23 prisons across the country and some 5,400 of them have to be produced in the various courts on a daily basis.   
Mr. Ekanayake said that transfer of inmates between prisons has also suspended until further notice.