• Promoting online participation when producing high-risk prisoner before courts 
• Jailors continue to face threats from organised crime gangs

The Department of Prisons stated yesterday (20) that a programme has been developed to ensure the safety of prisoners when they are presented before the courts.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Prisons Department Media Spokesperson, Prisons Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake said that a system is currently in place to ensure the safety of prisoners during court appearances. “A programme has been put in place to safely produce prisoners before court. In addition, we also produce prisoners before courts via online means as much as possible, in consultation with the respective courts.” he said.

Following the killing of Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, also known as ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, inside Court No. 5 of the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court in February, concerns have been raised about the safety of suspects when they are taken out of prison for court appearances and other related purposes.

Meanwhile, the Prisons Department had recently forwarded a report to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya and intelligence agencies on prison officers facing various threats seeking appropriate action. Dissanayake, on an earlier occasion, said that the department had instructed prison officers to provide security for their fellow officers facing threats, until the Police and intelligence agencies take action based on the report.

The report highlights that prison officers are increasingly facing threats from organised criminal networks and drug traffickers, putting their safety at serious risk. They often become targets of intimidation or even death, particularly when dealing with high-profile inmates or working to curb illegal activities inside prisons. And at the same time, prisoners themselves face risks due to ongoing tensions and conflicts between rival criminal groups.