Photo: Minister of Justice and Law Reforms Milinda Moragoda listening to the mother of an inmate as she relates a tale of woe.

More than 500 drug addicts imprisoned due to crimes related to drug dependency were recently transferred to a new rehabilitation centre set up at the Pallekele Prison Camp. There, they will receive counseling and treatment for drug addiction while they serve their sentences for the offences committed.


This is part of an initiative undertaken under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and implemented by Minister of Justice and Law Reforms, Milinda Moragoda, as a means of separating lesser offenders from hardcore criminals. According to the Prison Department, another two rehabilitation centers are to be set up in Weeravila and Badulla in the near future.