A special discussion to review the situation prevailing in all 33 prisons of the country and the measures taken for the safety of inmates was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon (07), at the Presidential Secretariat.

Following the discussion it was decided to establish a special joint mechanism to look into the issues faced by prison inmates, their welfare activities, as well as the protocol to act during an emergency.

This mechanism comprises all stakeholders, including prison officers, police, the Special Task Force (STF), and the tri-forces during required instances, the President's Media Division announced.

Direct discussions with prison inmates are also scheduled to be held in the future through this mechanism, which is scheduled to be established within the upcoming week.

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Inspector General of Police Lawyer Priyantha Weerasooriya, and a group of senior officers of the prisons and intelligence divisions attended the special discussion.