Minister of Justice and Law Reforms, Milinda Moragoda accompanied by Minister of Mass Communications Luxman Yapa Abeywardene and Commissioner General of Prisons Major General V. R. de Silva visited Matara Prison recently.


Matara Superintendent of Prisons, Senarath Senanayake said that there were 741 prisoners in the Matara prison while the approved number was only for 321.


During the meeting with Minister Moragoda prison officials discussed several issues affecting them. They highlighted the delay in giving promotions, lack of firearms training to tackle situations created by underworld gangsters on remand, and poor welfare facilities.


The Minister said, steps would be taken to promote 75 percent of the Jail Guards and the Overseers as Jailors under a policy decision taken recently.