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’’I stopped the prisons from burning. Am I stupid to threaten the prisoners?’’

17 September 2021 11:58 am - 27     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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  • Says he never touched the Tamil prisoners
  • Denies going to visit the gallows with his friends
  • Says he had gone to Anuradhapura Prison on an inspection visit only
  • Says he put out the fires by halting the smuggling of drugs and gang murders
  • Says truth will be revealed to President and PM

State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries Lohan Ratwatte who has pushed the government into a hot soup over allegations that he threatened a group of Tamil prisoners over the weekend, yesterday denied all accusations leveled against him saying he was ‘not stupid’ to resort to such action.

Breaking his silence for the first time since being forced to resign as the State Minister of Prison Reforms and Prisoners Rehabilitation, Ratwatte told Daily Mirror that he had not threatened the prisoners at the Anuradhapura Prison and had in fact visited the prison on a routine check only.

However, Ratwatte accepted that he had visited the gallows at the Welikada Prison but that too was for a routine check and denied allegations that he was intoxicated or visited the gallows with his friends including a female accomplice. He said he was alone.

“As a minister, I can walk into any prison at any time. I do not need anyone’s permission. I had 29 prisons and two rehabilitation centers under me and I could walk into them at any time, day or night. I would do this without informing anyone because I really wanted to know what was happening inside,” ratwatte said.

Explaining himself over the allegations, which earned the government a blow even on the international front, Ratwatte said he took over the prison system at a time when the prisons were burning. “i changed the whole prison system. I stopped all the drug dealings.

I stopped all the gang murders that were happening from inside. I put them all in a separate area, which I cannot tell you for security reasons.

And normally they smuggle in phones and other gadgets. I stopped all that. I stopped all the drugs going in.these allegations against me now are all false. Over the weekend I went to the Anuradhapura Prison only to check as I did with the other prisons. I never broke in and I never threatened any prisoner. That is not my job. That is not me,” Ratwatte said.

He further said that when he was appointed as the Minister of Prisons Management, the prisons were burning with all illegal activities. He said within these past few months, he put these fires out and turned the prisons into rehabilitation centers.“i had even made plans to shift the Welikada Prison to Horana.that will be a state-of-the-art prison and I changed the name from a ‘prison’ to a ‘correctional facility.’ I changed this entire system and after all that do you think I will do a stupid thing like this?,” Ratwatte asked.

The Minister reiterated that he never took anyone to see the gallows inside Welikada Prison but he went alone for an inspection visit. He further said he visited the Anuradhapura Prison on Sunday but had not even touched the prisoners as alleged. “Nothing like that ever happened.this is absolutely false,” Ratwatte said.

Ratwatte who now faces pressure over the allegations with several parties calling for his arrest says it is now up to the President and Prime Minister to realize the truth and added he will continue his duties and work as the State Minister of Gem and Jewellery Related Industries.(JAMILA HUSAIN)


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  Comments - 27

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  • SAM Friday, 17 September 2021 07:45 AM

    That you are stupid, is a given but you did outfox the judiciary once and you would do it again.

    Don Friday, 17 September 2021 07:50 AM

    Stop barking. You resigned as you accepted you did the wrong thing. More you talk Sri Lanka will have hard time to defend in front of international arena. Please resign from other minister portfolio and go in front of court to defend yourself if you are innocent. Again stop barking.

    Lumbini Friday, 17 September 2021 07:52 AM

    Are you kidding Lohan?

    Chris Friday, 17 September 2021 07:53 AM

    So he's still a Minister? What a Banana republic.

    JACOOB Friday, 17 September 2021 07:54 AM

    THE EXPLANTION IS AS PER TAMIL MOVIE ' DUGLUK DARBAR" -- SPLIT PERSONALITY .. PERIOD. AMEN..

    Mueez Friday, 17 September 2021 08:05 AM

    Yes, You are a stupid.

    jimbo Friday, 17 September 2021 08:08 AM

    You should not have resigned if you had the courage of your conviction. Sadly, you conceded to the allusion by submitting your resignation. Do not know whether you have conscience (suppose you do not) as it will keep haunting you for years to come.

    Sunil Friday, 17 September 2021 08:12 AM

    Not only are you stupid you are outright foolish, not at all fit to hold any responsible position. Leave politics for good. At least have the courage to admit your horrendous misdeeds, including the one that you committed about twenty years ago.

    another lie Friday, 17 September 2021 11:08 AM

    tell the marines

    Aquarius Friday, 17 September 2021 11:14 AM

    Surely he has taken steps to make sure all CCTV evidence is gone and now trying to give an innocent image. The people know his true image.

    Neil Friday, 17 September 2021 11:14 AM

    These are the sort of ministers in the government. No credibility right from the top. How can a country progress with these bastards.

    Sarath herath Friday, 17 September 2021 11:28 AM

    A pure typical liar !! Then why did you resign? Why did you go drunk ?if there is a fire emergency!! There is fire brigade..lol

    Tshiraz Friday, 17 September 2021 11:29 AM

    Tell such a story to 6.9 million foolish who voted

    Cheers Friday, 17 September 2021 11:31 AM

    This will hurt unp,jvp,tna and the Muslim parties

    Mary Kay Friday, 17 September 2021 11:36 AM

    Blame the Chinese for this. We're good at blaming other.

    The only one Friday, 17 September 2021 11:37 AM

    Can't handle the truth admin? We love to blame others like the Chinese for everything. Can't we ever take the blame as a nation?!

    The Truth Friday, 17 September 2021 11:41 AM

    The admins approve comments about our eyes going slant after the Sinopharm vaccine, but can't seem to approve my comments about a minister. Come on Dailymirror. Thought highly of you.

    Luxmy Friday, 17 September 2021 02:12 PM

    Answer is… “Yes!”

    Peter Friday, 17 September 2021 02:30 PM

    Denying won't work, why behaving like a pimp, seems he managed to get cctv erased,this indicated he is not stupid along,but moronic brain dead person,he is not a balance minded and updated to understand current local and international situation, civil societies its up to you

    Moknan Friday, 17 September 2021 03:31 PM

    What a idiot. This is what happens when uneducated fellows are given positions

    Jesus Friday, 17 September 2021 03:33 PM

    Yes your are so stupid .. And mentally unstable... GR please take him out of the gem and jewellery ministry immediately.. Mr president you will loose it all otherwise.. Take this advice

    Sam Friday, 17 September 2021 03:34 PM

    Even the worst politics of Tamil Nadu has improved. This happens only in SL politics. You got be kidding mate!

    Kumaran Friday, 17 September 2021 03:38 PM

    You have the power to visit the prisons... Can you also stay there.. Permanently.

    Mandayan Friday, 17 September 2021 05:03 PM

    You should have asked that to PM, Mahinda who shouted at you very angrily. No point of giving us boru shows!! Talk to him, if you can, and explain the same and get the job back!!

    joshua Friday, 17 September 2021 08:04 PM

    ah.... he is from the fire department.

    Luxmy Friday, 17 September 2021 08:13 PM

    ’’Am I stupid to threaten the prisoners?’’ Of course not! It’s the wisest move, at the time of UNHRC raising a resolution. Well done!!!

    Cugan Saturday, 18 September 2021 01:05 AM

    Our future head of state ,the credentials.....and qualities


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