Prison Relocation: Investors interested in 40 acre space in Borella

COLOMBO (News 1st): Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Prisons Department and the Urban Development Authority to pay special attention to the children who are with female inmates during the relocation of the Welikada Prison Complex to Millewa, Horana. The Prime Minister pointed out that since the prisoners in remand are not guilty, facilities should be established for them when the remand prison is taken to Horana. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated this during a discussion held through Zoom to review the progress of the project to relocate the Welikada Prison Complex in Millewa, Horana. The Rs. 30 billion project is expected to be completed in 2024. However, State Minister Nalaka Godahewa stated that due to the current economic situation in the country, the General Treasury is not allocating funds for projects at this time and he hopes to complete the project through alternative means without burdening the government. Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya stated that the Magazine Prison will be relocated first and the other prisons will be moved to Millewa, and the Welikada gallows will also be taken to Horana. The Welikada Prison is located across 40 acres and the Urban Development Authority has planned to set aside the chapel ward and the prison headquarters building for a hotel project. In addition, another 35 acres will be set aside for other investments as several investors have already shown interest in those projects, said the Prime Minister's Office. The prisons will relocate to a Rubber Plantation in Millewa, Horana, and 123 workers will be compensated while the UDA will construct 57 new houses for them. The Magazine, Welikdara, Remand, and Women's prisons will be relocated in Millewa under the same name. In addition, the Prison Hospital, Prison School, Rehabilitation Center, and the Prison Intelligence Unit will be moved to Millewa. The Prison Headquarters will be will move to Battaramulla and the Official Housing Complex will move to Malabe. The statement from the Prime Minister's Office said the new Prison Complex will be constructed with priority being given to security and technology, where inmates will be made to appear in the trial via video technology without leaving the prison premises. Justice Minister Ali Sabry had noted that Sri Lanka's prison system can only accommodate 11,000 inmates, however, there three times that number is being held at present.