Recent disturbances at multiple prisons have resulted in property damage exceeding Rs. 255 million, prompting the government to review security and rehabilitation measures.
Unrest at five correctional facilities—Negombo, Mahara, Magazine, Pallansena, and Kuruwita prisons—has resulted in combined property damage valued at over Rs. 255 million, according to information presented at a national steering council meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, chairing the "A Nation United" National Steering Council on 10th January, directed officials to address the underlying issues contributing to the disturbances. The government is prioritizing increased access to psychiatric services as a means to reduce disruptive behaviour among inmates. Additionally, the President instructed the acceleration of a draft amendment to the Rehabilitation Act No. 54 of 2007, which will be submitted to Parliament. To expedite the legislative process, the government plans to recruit retired experienced officers on contractual terms to address backlogs at the Legal Draftsman's Department.
Beyond prison-related matters, the meeting examined progress on the "Mituru Pasala" programme, a joint initiative between the Education and Health ministries aimed at preventing drug proliferation in schools. The programme emphasizes student development and trains educators to identify and support children using drugs. Officials were instructed to implement targeted interventions in high-risk and densely populated school areas. The council noted a concerning rise in drug use among students attending international schools.
Government officials also discussed wider drug control strategies, including the potential distribution of drug-testing kits through pharmacies for private parental use. The meeting acknowledged that drug-related groups are utilizing internet and social media platforms for recruitment, while considering how to leverage these same channels to promote anti-drug messaging. The discussion occurred within the framework of the revised Multisectoral National Strategic Plan, which encompasses six key areas from prevention through rehabilitation and follow-up monitoring.
