Possible food scam at Prisons leave inmates starving

COLOMBO (News 1st): Allegations have been made that a food scam is taking place across several prisons including the Colombo Remand Prison. These allegations have been leveled by 'The Organization to Protect the Rights of Prisoners'. According to the Secretary to the organization Sudesh Nandimal, information at hand claims "over 5000 kilograms of rice is being held at the Colombo Remand Prison". He also charged that the stick is being sold off illegally. He also added that more than half of the inmates "get their meals from home", and said that the prison authorities "procure food stocks for the entire number of inmates and then sell off the excess or take them to their own homes." "As a result of this situation, inmates are not being provided with proper meals," he said. However, the Prisons Department has refuted the allegations. According to Prisons Spokesperson Thushara Upuldeniya, there cannot be any shortage of food "as it is provided as-per the Prisons Ordinance and regulations of the Department of Prisons". He stated that the process is monitored by a local and international organization and that if there is any report of corruption, it will be investigated. He added that such a complaint has not been made so far. However, a Spokesperson for the Ministry of Prisons said it had received a number of similar complaints and the incident have been taking place over a period of time. Prisons Intelligence has been tipped to inquire and report on such incidents.