Three prison guards of the Welikada Prison have been arrested in connection with the death of a remand prisoner, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Addressing the post-Cabinet Media Briefing held today (05), Minister Jayatissa confirmed the arrests, revealing that statements have been recorded from two inmates and civilians on the incident.

He further said that separate investigations are underway by the Police and Prisons Department. 

The inmate, who had been held on drug‑related charges, had reportedly attempted to escape during a cleaning operation inside the prison on Sunday (03), but was recaptured by prison officers. 

However, he was hospitalised due to a sudden illness and reportedly died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Relatives of the deceased have alleged that the prison officials had assaulted him before his death.

The Borella Police arrested three prison guards of the Welikada Prison in connection with the death and are conducting further investigations into the matter. (Newswire)

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Minister of Child and Women’s Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj engaged in an inspection tour of the Welikada Prison in Colombo on the first day of the new year (2025).

Commemorating the dawn of the new year, Minister Paulraj visited the prison and engaged in discussions with female inmates and children at the Day Care Centre at the prison.

Having inquired about the well-being of female inmates and the issues faced at present, the Minister also handed out gifts with essential items to them. 

Minister of Child and Women’s Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj was accompanied by Deputy Minister Dr. Namal Sudharshana, Ministry Secretary K.D. R. Olga, and other high-ranking officials of her ministry. (Newswire)

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Former Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa who was sentenced to death over the deaths of inmates following riots at the Welikada Prison in 2012, has been acquitted by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court has released Emil Ranjan Lamahewa from the death sentence previously issued by a three-member bench of the Colombo High Court.

The Supreme Court announced the decision after taking up for consideration an appeal that had been filed on behalf of Lamahewa against the death sentence. (Newswire) 

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The commercial value of the land where the Welikada prison is located has been estimated as over Rs. 32 billion, State Minister of Justice and Prison Affairs Anuradha Jayaratne stated.

State Minister Jayaratne stated that taking this situation into consideration, 200 acres of land belonging to the Urban Development Authority in Horana has been acquired for the Prison Department. 

He further stated that Instructions have been given to call for project reports not exceeding Rs. 18 billion for the construction of a prison in Horana.

“We hope to complete the project with all modern facilities through an international tender call. The new jail is about four times the size of the existing jail,” the State Minister revealed.

State Minister Jayaratne added that apart from this, it is hoped to promote the open-air prison system and introduce the geo-tag system for civil convicts.

The State Minister of Justice and Prison Affairs expressed these views during a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) on Thursday (10). (NewsWire)

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A death row prisoner is among ten prisoners who are sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examinations 2022 (2023) which commenced today.

Media spokesperson of the Department of Prisons, Chandana Ekanayake said five prisoners, including the death row prisoner, are from the Welikada prison while the other five prisoners are from Watareka Prison.

According to Mawbima, Chanadana Ekanayake further said that the prisoners will sit for the examination at the examination centres that have been set up at the New Magazine Prison in Welikada and the Watareka Prison. 

Chanadana Ekanayake pointed out that the number of prisoners sitting for the GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations has seen a significant increase.

The Prisons spokesman added that this was due to the measures taken by the Prisons Department to assist prisoners willing to pursue their education. (NewsWire) 

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