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Old Bogambara inmates protest for PCRs

18 May 2021

By Pamodi Waravita   Inmates at the Old Bogambara Prison yesterday (17) held a protest atop its roof, demanding that more PCR tests be conducted on them in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement to the media, Department of Prisons Media Spokesman and Prisons Commissioner Chandana Ekanayake said the prisoners had protested atop the roof of the Old Bogambara Prison, demanding an increase in the number of PCR tests conducted. However, the protest was called off a few hours later, following a discussion with the Bogambara Prison’s administration. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has met with Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya last week to discuss the control measures within the prison system to curb the spread of Covid-19. The HRCSL has noted that communication systems between the detainees and their family members must be strengthened, and that riot control measures taken following the Mahara Prison incident in November 2020 must be reviewed. Covid-19 affected over 1,000 prisoners in 2020. In November 2020, unrest was reported at the Mahara Prison Complex, following rising fears among the inmates about the rapid spread of Covid-19 within the prison complex. The unrest ultimately resulted in 11 deaths and 108 injured, where media reports show that prison guards had opened fire on the prisoners. Prisoners at the Welikada and Angunakolapelessa Prisons also held protests regarding the Covid-19 situation in the days preceding the Mahara Prison unrest.


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