Plans are being made to install CCTV cameras at three main prisons in Colombo- the Remand, Magazine and Welikada, according to Prisons Commissioner and Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake.
However, he said that a definite date has not yet been determined and the matter has not been processed yet, but said that it is a vital requirement to prevent many illegal items being smuggled into the prisons in various ways.
He noted that CCTV cameras have already been installed at the Agunukolapelessa, Jaffna and Bosssa High Security Prisons while STF personnel have also been deployed outside these prisons to enhance external security.
The Prisons Department has implemented several stringent measures to prevent illegal items such as weapons, drugs and mobile phones from being smuggled in and action has also been taken to nab all prison officers who connive with the prisoners in their illegal activities. Meanwhile, Ekanayake also noted that the Prisons Department had received a stock of testing equipment to test if prisoners have taken drugs. However, when asked if this would be to test prisoners who are brought in, he said there was no point in checking prisoners being sent to prison for drugs as it is evident. However, he said that in the event any drugs are detected within the prisons, prisoners suspected of having obtained these drugs could be tested to verify if they have used it.
Many of these measures are being implemented under the directives of the Prison Commissioner Thushara Upuldeniya in keeping with the assurance given to the people by the President to eradicate the drug menace from the country.