Suspects to be enlarged on bail

By W.K. Prasad Manju

Suspects remanded for possessing less than two grams of heroin will be treated as drug addicts and enlarged on bail, to reduce congestion in prisons, State Minister of Prison Reforms, Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, told Ceylon Today.

Dr. Fernandopulle said the decision was taken at a discussion with Justice Minister Ali Sabry, IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, and senior officials of the Attorney General’s Department. 

Police have been instructed to take action.  Magistrate's Courts are vested with powers to impose fines, grant bail, and rehabilitate suspects remanded for possessing less than two grams of drugs. 

Suspects caught with two grams of heroin in their possession are charged with drug trafficking under Section 54 of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. They will not be granted bail, and the law will be enforced, the Minister said.  The Minister further stated over 7,000 drug offenders are behind bars.