Provide security to prisoners who petitioned against Ratwatte, says Sri Lankan Supreme Court

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Tuesday (5) instructed for necessary security to be provided to the eight prisoners at the Anuradhapura Prison who filed petitions against State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.

The Supreme Court instructed the Attorney General to inform the Commissioner General of Prisons to provide the prisoners with the necessary security arrangements.

Eight prisoners in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura prison petitioned the country’s Supreme Court, seeking relief after a ‘gun-wielding' Prisons Minister allegedly threatened them a fortnight ago.

On September 15th, Lohan Ratwatte, who was State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, stepped down from the portfolio, after allegations of him asking prisoners to kneel, threatening them at gunpoint, surfaced.

The prisoners stated that they fear for their lives, asking to be transferred to a prison in the Northern Province.

MP M. A. Sumanthiran PC is appearing for the petitioners.

State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, The Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison, Commissioner General of Prisons, Minister of Justice, and the Attorney General were named as the respondents in the application.