State Minister of Gem & Jewellery Related Industries and State Minister of Prison Management & Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte said that the Welikada Prison will be shifted to Horana and Urban Development Authority has provided 250 acres of land for the purpose.
He said that the land where the Welikada Prison is located is over 46 acres in extent and this prime land will be used for other purposes.
Ratwatte was speaking at a media briefing held in Mahaiyawa, Kandy yesterday (23).
He further stated that when he took over as the Minister of State for Prisoners Rehabilitation, more than 27,000 prisoners were detained in prisons. However, 8,300 have been released now.
“About 19,000 prisoners are currently being held in prisons. We spend around Rs.300 to Rs.400 a day on each inmate. We have been able to reduce congestion in prisons to a considerable extent,” he added.
“The four year review of prisoners has not taken place in about 20 years. The Ministry of Justice has submitted this report to the President and we hope to receive it in a few more days,” State Minister Ratwatte said.
The State Minister stated that more prisoners could be released in the event the review is published in the near future. He also noted that the review would commute the death sentence issued by court to life imprisonment.
He added that prisoners serving life imprisonment would have the sentence reduced to 20 years on good behaviour and certain prisoners would be released for good behaviour.
Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, Additional Commissioner General of Prisons Thusitha Uduwara and Commissioner General of Prisons and Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake were also present on the occasion.
(Daily News)