Sri Lanka proposes community service as alternative to prison

The Sri Lankan government has proposed amendments to the Community Based Corrections Act to introduce community service as an alternative to traditional prison sentences. The proposed Community Based Corrections (Amendment) Bill aims to modernize the criminal justice system by offering non-violent offenders a rehabilitative path, which could help alleviate long-standing overcrowding in the nation's prison facilities.

Under the new legislation, courts would have the discretion to refer eligible offenders to community corrections officers. These officers would be responsible for supervising offenders, conducting inquiries, and assisting courts in implementing orders. The bill includes a specific schedule for unpaid community work based on the severity of the offense: offenders facing one year or more of imprisonment could be assigned 200 to 300 hours of work over a year, while those facing shorter sentences or fines would have proportionally adjusted requirements.

Additionally, the bill proposes increasing the maximum fine for certain violations from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 25,000. The reforms reflect a shift toward restorative justice, focusing on reintegration into society rather than purely punitive measures for minor offenses.