Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, yesterday said that there is no issue with the security or facilities offered to LTTE suspects in prison and that Opposition groups are attempting to politicise the situation.
The Minister was addressing the media after visiting the Anuradhapura Prison yesterday (26) to meet with Prison officials and inmates to discuss facilities for inmates.
The issue of how rehabilitation works in general with regard to prisoners and several other common issues were discussed during the Minister’s visit to the prison complex. It was learnt that the family members of the inmates could not meet, and in some rural areas, they were contacted through video calls, but not all had the facility to connect this way.
“We had discussions with the LTTE inmates also. Opposition parties and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) stated that there are issues concerning their security and facilities. But the inmates assured that the facilities and the security they received were adequate. But they mentioned that they would like to visit Jaffna, which is their home town. So apart from their request to move to their hometown, they had no complications or issues with security or facilities,” the Minister remarked.
The inmates have also raised the issue that their families cannot come and deposit money in order to fulfill certain needs. Accordingly, it was suggested that when the family members deposit money to Vavuniya or Jaffna prison, they will be given a chance to meet their needs.
Another suggestion was that if they have difficulty accessing the inmates through video technology, the family members can reach the Prisons Department in Vavuniya and Jaffna areas and contact them from there.Minister Sabry further said that although some tried to politicise this, the prisoners were neutral and stated that there was no security issue. However, prison officials were instructed to ensure security.“Former Prisons State Minister Lohan Ratwatte resigned from that ministry to help the investigations into the incidents involving him at the Anuradhapura Prison and also at Welikada Prison. I met with the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, as well as TNA MPs and Opposition MPs; all assured that there is no threat to the security of the prisons and inmates. Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa also instructed not to change any statements and report everything as it was. Therefore, there is no need to politicise this incident. We can assure that the investigations are being carried out impartially,” Minister Sabry said.
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