• Due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the country

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

The Prisons Department said that no family members or friends of inmates will be allowed to visit them in the prisons during this Christmas. Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said that usually on Christmas day the relatives of the inmates get a chance to visit them and give them gifts.

However, due to the rapid spreading of COVID-19 in the country, visitors will not be allowed this time, he said.
Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in prisons across the country stands at 3,279  to date.
Among them 2,584 are remand prisoners, while 114 prison officers had  also contracted the virus.
So far, 73 officers and 1,189 inmates have recovered from COVID-19.

• The total number of COVID-19 cases reported in prisons across the country stands at 3,279  to date