Three inmates commit suicide over zero access to drugs

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

Three drug-addicted inmates have committed suicide within the course of last week over the crackdown on narcotics by the authorities and thus finding no ways to reach drugs, Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya revealed.  

According to Prison sources, two have committed suicide in the Colombo Remand Prison among whom one was addicted to illicit liquor while the other was a drug addict. Another prisoner who was suffering from liver ailment had committed suicide in the Negombo Prison. He was also addicted to illicit liquor and heroin.   

The prison authorities have been able to bust individuals and groups who transport drugs into prisons in the recent past, and search operations have also been tightened.  

Prisons Commissioner and spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said the inmates, who were badly addicted to drugs and liquor are currently in a terrible condition as they have no access to narcotics from outside.   When asked as to what measures would be taken to prevent suicides, he said what could be done was to let those badly in need of drugs and liquor absorb the feeling that they could survive without them.