Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says all arrangements have been made to complete 9,000 delayed forensic reports within this month and submit them to court.

He made the statement during an inspection tour of the Pallansena Prison, where he also held discussions with inmates on prevailing issues.

The Minister noted that similar visits will be carried out at other prisons across the island to review conditions and address concerns.

Wijepala said discussions focused on ensuring the safety of inmates across Sri Lanka’s 33 prisons, as well as safeguarding prison officers. 

He revealed that a new emergency response committee is being established at Pallansena, comprising District and Divisional Secretaries, Fire Brigade officers, Tri‑forces, STF, Deputy Inspector General of Police, and the Commissioner General of Prisons.

“The main objective is to protect the lives of inmates,” he stressed, acknowledging the severe overcrowding in prisons. 

He added that the Minister of Justice has already prepared a special plan to reduce inmate numbers. (Newswire)

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The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has concluded that the arrest and suspension of former Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya violated his fundamental rights. 

In a statement, the Commission noted that his detention was not carried out according to proper procedure and that his suspension from duty was imposed unlawfully.

In its recommendations issued on March 23, 2026, the HRCSL directed the Inspector General of Police and the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security to examine the actions of the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and take appropriate measures. 

It further recommended that the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration take suitable action regarding the suspension process. The Commission also ordered that all officials be reminded through a circular to strictly follow constitutional and legal provisions when making arrests. 

The recommendations, signed by Commission Chairperson retired Supreme Court Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya and Commissioner Nimal G. Punchihewa, must be implemented and reported back by April 30, 2026.

The case was brought before the Commission following a complaint lodged by Upuldeniya’s wife, H.M.K. Herath, on June 16, 2025. She alleged that her husband had been unlawfully suspended and deliberately removed from his post without fair reason, causing injustice and humiliation to him and his family.

Upuldeniya was arrested on June 9, 2025, by the CID after a complaint from the Presidential Secretariat regarding the release of a prisoner from Anuradhapura Prison on Vesak Poya Day. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court remanded him on June 10 and later released him on bail on July 9, 2025, under conditions including a travel ban and prohibition from entering prison premises.

The Commission concluded that his rights under Articles 12 and 13(1) of the Constitution had been violated, underscoring the need for accountability and adherence to due process in future arrests and disciplinary actions. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the purchase of 50 vehicles, for the Department of Prisons to support its operational and inmate welfare duties, particularly those linked to court-related transport and logistical needs.

The procurement includes 30 buses with 44 seats, 10 buses with 30 seats, 10 vans in addition to five gully bowsers, and three tractors.

The Department of Prisons invited bids under the National Competitive Procurement Procedure, receiving responses from eight bidders.

Based on the recommendations of the high-level standing procurement committee, the contract awards have been approved as follows:

30 Buses (44 seats) – Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC
⁠10 Buses (30 seats) – Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC
⁠10 Vans – Toyota Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
⁠5 Gully Bowsers – Solex Technologies (Pvt) Ltd
3 Tractors – Browns & Company PLC

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Warusha Withana has ordered the Colombo Fraud Investigation Division to conduct an expedited inquiry into an alleged incident involving the submission of a fake business certificate to secure a tender for supplying raw and dry food items to the Department of Prisons and the Ministry of Health.

The magistrate yesterday (21) also ordered that the suspects be presented before the court.

The order was issued after the Fraud Investigation Division submitted a request to the court, based on a complaint filed by the owner of a private business establishment in Colombo 13, seeking a formal investigation and legal action against the suspects.

According to the complainant, he had been engaged in supplying raw and dry food items to the Department of Prisons and the Ministry of Health during the years 2023 and 2024. However, he lost the tender for the year 2025.

While investigating the reason for losing the tender this year, it was revealed that an individual had submitted a fraudulent business certificate to obtain the contract. The complainant requested that this matter be investigated thoroughly

After reviewing the facts presented by the Fraud Investigation Division, the Magistrate ordered that a swift investigation be carried out and that the relevant suspects be produced before the court. (Newswire)

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A special medical clinic program was launched across 24 prison hospitals in Sri Lanka yesterday (12).

The initiative, which aims to provide medical services to prison officers, inmates, and their families, will run island-wide until 16th August. 

The opening ceremony was held at the Welikada Prison Research and Training Centre, under the patronage of Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa. 

Addressing the event, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized that health care for incarcerated individuals is not a privilege but a fundamental right. 

He noted that overcrowding in prisons contributes to the spread of communicable diseases, which in turn leads to mental stress and harsh living conditions for inmates.

The Minister stated that urgent steps are being taken to deploy essential medical staff to prison hospitals and to establish emergency treatment units. 

He added that plans are also underway to address issues in female wards within prison hospitals.

The Ministry of Health has taken responsibility for ensuring quality health care for both prison officers and inmates. The newly launched medical clinic program aims to identify and treat chronic NCDs, which have become one of the country’s most pressing health challenges.

Currently, around 6,000 prison officers serve under the Department of Prisons, and approximately 33,500 inmates are held across 36 established prisons. The program’s goal is to ensure the physical and mental well-being of both groups. (Newswire)

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Prisons Commissioner Gamini Dissanayake, who served as the Media Spokesperson of the Prisons Department, has submitted his letter of resignation to the Acting Prisons Commissioner, it was reported. 

According to media reports, it is stated that the media spokesperson has submitted his resignation in light of the current situation regarding the unauthorised release of an inmate from the Anuradhapura Prison under a presidential pardon.

Meanwhile, it is also reported that the government is focusing on the reorganisation of the Prisons Department.

Accordingly, a number of changes are scheduled to be made to the posts of prison superintendents across the island.

Following information of a convicted banker being released under a Presidential Pardon during the Vesak Festival this year, the Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison was arrested and remanded. 

Soon after, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to suspend Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya from duty pending investigation and send him on compulsory leave over the matter. He was thereafter arrested by the CID and remains in remand custody.

Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Nishan Dhanasinghe, has been appointed as the acting Prisons Commissioner General. (Newswire) 

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Nine inmates have escaped from the Thaldena Open Prison Rehabilitation Centre in Badulla, the Prisons Department stated. 

Prisons Spokesman Chanadana Ekanayake told NewsWire that the inmates had escaped from the centre early this morning (17). 

Ekanayake stated that two of the escapees have been apprehended as of now.

He further stated that a search operation is underway to apprehend the remaining escapees. 

Youths convicted of minor and drug-related crimes are reportedly placed at the Thaldena Open Prison Rehabilitation Centre in Badulla. (NewsWire)

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