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Commissioner General of Prisons Post Vacant for a Year, MP Cites Crisis
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka /Crime & Justice

Commissioner General of Prisons Post Vacant for a Year, MP Cites Crisis

From Lankadeepa · () Sinhala

Translated from Sinhala, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The position of Commissioner General of Prisons has been vacant for a year, according to MP Ajith. P. Perera.
  • Perera highlighted severe overcrowding at the Welikada Prison, with over 2,400 inmates and a lack of medical care.
  • He criticized the Justice Minister for inaction on the issue and for failing to take disciplinary action against suspended officials.

The crucial position of Commissioner General of Prisons has remained unfilled for an entire year, raising concerns about leadership within the correctional services. Kalutara District MP Ajith. P. Perera voiced these concerns in parliament, stating that the Justice Minister had made pronouncements but failed to implement concrete actions. Perera pointed to the dire situation at Welikada Prison, where more than 2,400 inmates are held, and highlighted a serious incident where female inmates climbed onto the roof due to a lack of medical treatment. He criticized the minister for not taking measures to control the situation even by the previous evening. The MP also noted that no formal action has been taken regarding individuals who have been suspended from their duties, leaving the prison service without stable leadership. Perera recalled that when he previously questioned the minister about these matters in parliament, the minister evaded the question, deeming it irrelevant.

The position of Commissioner General of Prisons has been vacant for a year.

— Ajith. P. PereraMP Ajith. P. Perera speaking in parliament about the vacant position.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Lankadeepa in Sinhala. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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