• Last assessment was in 2020 in which firearms were provided to officers with threats 

The Department of Prisons stated that it is taking measures to carry out a security assessment of prison officers, considering it a timely need.

These remarks were made by the Prisons Department Media Spokesperson, Prisons Commissioner Gamini Dissanayake when queried by The Daily Morning regarding the measures taken to ensure the safety of prison officers. Dissanayake said that a security assessment was conducted in 2020, and that personal firearms were issued to officers identified as being under threat. He stated that a new security assessment is necessary to identify current threats. "We identified several officers in 2020 who were facing threats and provided them with firearms. However, that was years ago. Now, we have recognised the need for a new security assessment,” he said. He also mentioned that the Department, along with the relevant authorities, is taking measures to conduct a new security assessment.

This inquiry follows the killing of a former Superintendent of the Boossa Prison, who was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Thalagaha. The victim was shot while on the verandah of his house. Two gunmen arrived on a motorcycle and fled after opening fire. The 61-year-old retiree was admitted to the Galle National Hospital in Karapitiya, where he succumbed to his injuries. Four investigation teams, including officers from the Akmeemana Police Station, have been deployed to arrest the suspects.

Attempts to contact the Minister of Justice, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara, were unsuccessful.