Ranjan allowed 2 visitors a month and 3 min. phone call a week

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Imprisoned parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake has been allowed two visitors once a month in addition to a telephone conversation facility once a week, the Prisons Department said.   
Ramanayake was denied visitors and telephone call facility for two weeks, since early this month, for posing for a selfie with fellow parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna at the Angunakolapelessa Prison.   

Prisons spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said Mr. Ramanayake could decide on the visitors he wishes to have.  

He said online booking for visits are now available for the prisoners.   

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, each remanded prisoner was allowed three visitors each month, while a suspect was allowed three visitors per week. However, the practice was restricted due to Covid-19. Since then, the number of visitors were cut down to two per week.   

The spokesman said the telephone call facility is being allowed to all inmates considering the difficulties to visit the inmates due to Covid-19.