Relocation of prison complex by 2011 - Governor

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Corr.

There were many moves from 1972 or even before to shift the Bogambara Prisons from its present location to Pallekelle but nothing concrete took place till the President took steps under the Mahinda Chnithana to relocate the Prisons and this project is now in progress. It is expected to be completed in 2011, said Governor Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa. He was addressing as the Chief Guest at the awards distribution for Star Awards and 5 S Awards in the Central Province organised by the Central Province Ministry of Industries and held at the Royal Mall Hotel in Kandy, recently.

Governor Kobbekaduwa said that present Bogambara Prisons is housed in an outdated building over 100 years old and needs to be replaced. This may have served the purpose of the British rulers for over 100 years, but not at present.

The facilities in the prison need to be upgraded and more humane towards the prisoners. Sending a person to prison is not really a punishment but is a sort of rehabilitation, so that he will not commit the same crime again.

He will be taught a trade, so that he could continue it and earn an honest living without resorting to crime. He said a good climate should be provided to him, so that he will grasp all what is imparted and lead a crime - free life when he comes out. This is rehabilitation. Thus it was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was able to implement the construction of the new buildings for the prisons at Pallekelle.