Plans to construct six prisons at new locations

The Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry plans to construct six new prisons at new locations. Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera said the construction proposal will be forwarded for Cabinet approval within the next few weeks.

"The new prisons will be constructed away from town limits to address issues like narcotic smuggling and dealing with underworld criminal activities etc," he said.

"Under the proposal, the Tangalla Prison will be relocated at Ratnna, Matara Prison will be shifted to Rathmale while the Galle Prison will be shifted to Rathgama. In addition, the Negombo Prison will be relocated at Anamaduwa. The prisoners and remand prisoners at the Welikada and Magazine Prisons will be housed at two new prisons which will be constructed in Mahara and Watareka," Minister Gajadeera said.

"These six prisons are highly congested since there are around 12,000 remand and convicted prisoners at present. Due to congestion many administration related issues have been reported. Besides, congestion badly affects the mental health of prisoners," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, a Special Operations Unit has been established to prevent illegal activities reported to be taking place within the prisons.

The Ministry took steps to establish such a unit. The detection of many irregularities taking place in prisons has been reported. Especially, certain prisons are reported to have become dens for the narcotics trade.

Minister Gajadheera has instructed officials of the Special Operations Unit to weekly forward a report on complaints received and actions taken. DSA