Prisons chief brands reports mere amplification

by P. Krishnaswamy

Certain political parties and sections of the media have exaggerated Friday's incident at the new magazine prison in which five Tamil remand prisoners were injured, Commissioner General of Prisons Maj.Gen.V.R.Silva said.

There was a clash between newly appointed prison guards and Tamil remand prisoners consequent to alleged provocations by the latter but an inquiry was conducted on the same day by a police team headed by SP Kenneth Fernando.

Other prisoners who were involved in the incident causing injuries to the Tamil prisoners have been identified and kept in separate cells for institution of legal action.

The injured prisoners received medical treatment for the minor injuries they sustained and situation had returned to normal, he said.

On a search conducted in the cell of the Tamil prisoners numbering over 120, the police team found 20 mobile phones, Silva also said adding that all of them were arrested under the PTA and Emergency regulations.

"I fought against terrorism for three decades but I always spoke on behalf of the Tamil people and it is very unfortunate that communal colouring is being given to this incident", he said.

Deputy Minister of Vocational and Technical Training P. Radhakrishnan who visited the prison to see the condition of the injured said that he spoke to them and their injuries were not as reported in certain sections of the media.

It was very unfortunate that an incident of this nature had taken place at time while President Mahinda Rajapaksa was doing everything to restore communal harmony and brotherhood in the country.

Deputy Minister of Justice and Law Reforms V. Puththirasigamoney told the Sunday Observer that Minister Milinda Moragoda has appointed a high powered panel of lawyers under the Attorney General's Department to release all remand prisoners against whom there are no indictments and to file cases against those who can be indicted.

Attacking prisoners is a serious offense and legal action will be taken against those responsible for the assaults, he said.