Only three prisons equipped with CCTV cameras; Welikada and A’Pura prisons not among them

Concerns raised after incidents involving Lohan Ratwatte

•  Installation of CCTV systems in the Welikada, Magazine, Remand prisons, Welikada Female Ward, Prison Hospital, Mahara and Negombo prisons commenced in April this year

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

 Installation of CCTV cameras in the Welikada prison is currently underway and only three prisons in the country are equipped with CCTV  system, the Prisons Department said. In the wake of recent incidents at Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons involving State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, concerns were  raised whether the controversial incidents captured on CCTV systems at those prisons. 

However, a prison official said that neither Welikada nor Anuradhapura prisons are currently equipped with the system. CCTV cameras are only in place at the Agunukolapelessa, Bosssa and Kalutara Prisons. However, the Prisons Department said that installation of CCTV cameras in the Welikada, Magazine, Remand prisons, Welikada Female Ward, Prison Hospital, Mahara and Negombo prisons commenced in April this year. Earlier, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said CCTV cameras would be operational to ensure the safety of prisoners and thwart violence, criminal and illegal activities that take place inside and outside prisons. However, when contacted the spokesman, he said that installation of CCTV at Welikada Prison is still not completed