Subject Minister has the power to transfer prisoners - Min. Thalatha Athukorale

COLOMBO (News1st) - The Prisons Department has directed the files of inmates held at the Welikada Prison on charges of being involved in drug peddling to the Attorney General's Department. These files are related to cases that are said to have been delayed. Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Thalatha Athukorale, following an event, held on Tuesday(August 21), stated the protests by inmates are taking place at a time when the Ministry is attempting to establish control in the prisons. She stated that they have received information that drugs are being supplied for the female inmates from outside. The Minister added that because of this they were compelled to take decisions on the officials at the prison complexes. She added that those who come onto the roof of the prison and shout for no reason are those who come in and out of the system frequently. Minister Athukorale also stated that it was quite recently that the inmates began to speak about the delays in their cases. A journalist present at the occasion raised a question regarding the sudden transfer of some inmates from the Welikada prison. The minister responded by stating that as the subject minister she is empowered by the law to transfer inmates to any prison in the country and there are transfers that will be made in the future as well. The Minister made these comments following an event held to declare open a new high court with a three-judge bench to hear cases of large-scale fraud and corruption. Approval has been granted for the establishment of three permanent high courts comprising of a three-judge bench.