100-man strong STF force deployed for external security at Bossa & Angunukolapelessa

He said after the deployment, STF personnel managed to foil an attempt to smuggle Rs. 150,000/- into one of the prisons adding after the suspect and cash was handed over to the Police, the officer in charge of the Prison had made an attempt to justify the smuggling attempt.

He said the Presidential Task Force which was recently appointed recommended for changes in administrative positions of prisons and as a result, an honest and fearless officer was appointed to the Boossa Prison.

Addressing the print and electronic media at the Defence Ministry auditorium, today (June 16), to brief media on measures taken to strengthen national security and other security measures, he said there would be no room for the underworld criminal to thrive with the swift measures taken under the directives of the President to crush their networks.

“We are determined and every effort is underway to quash all outside operations perpetrated from prison cells by drug kingpins and criminals using mobile phones. All technical measures have already been taken to trace such illegal communication networks”, Maj. Gen Gunaratne said during his first official press briefing since taking office as the Defence Secretary.

According to the Defence Ministry website, the Defence Secretary stated the appointment of a new Prison Commissioner General resulted in uncovering of a large haul of mobile phones and SIM cards from three prions, recently.

Stressing the necessity in rectifying the irregularities in the prisons, he said that the flaws of the existing prison system have been identified and the Defence Ministry unreservedly is engaged as a key stakeholder at addressing these existing paradoxes towards a final resolve.