In the wake of the second death in the Matara Prison caused by meningitis being reported on 31 December last year (2023), the Department of Prisons said that while the situation is now under control since no new cases have been reported within a period of one week, the situation is still being monitored closely to avoid possible threats.
A 53-year-old resident of Walasmulla had died on 31 December while being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Matara District General Hospital after being admitted to the hospital with symptoms of meningitis. This is the second death due to meningitis at the Matara Prison.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (1 January), the Spokesperson of the Department of Prisons and Prisons Commissioner (Rehabilitation) Gamini B. Dissanayake said that the inmate who died recently had been admitted to the relevant Hospital a few days ago with the group of 18 inmates who were admitted earlier to the Matara Hospital. He said that there is no new case reported thus far, and that according to the health officials attached to the Department, the situation is now under control. He also said that the officials are monitoring the situation very closely even though the situation is normal, in order to prevent future infections.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media yesterday, the Director of Prison Healthcare Services Dr. Hemantha Ranasinghe said that only six inmates out of the group of 18 inmates are being treated in normal wards and that 10 inmates have been already discharged. He also said that the two inmates who died within a period of two weeks were being treated in the ICU and that currently, no one is being treated there. Speaking further, Dr. Ranasinghe said that the remaining inmates show signs of recovery and that therefore, they will also be discharged in the days to come.
The first death was reported two weeks ago where an inmate who was convicted of murder on 30 August 2023, had succumbed to the illness. Following the death, the health authorities imposed rigorous health protocols at the Matara Prison, including a temporary halt to admitting new inmates.