The official dogs may correctly detect hidden things. But it is the duty of the Prison Officers to apprehend the prisoners concerned and seize the drugs detected.

It is not a secret that many prisoners use drugs as well as mobile phones within prisons and engage in illegal activities. It has been revealed during various occasions that certain Prison Officers were supporting these activities. The support of trained dogs is being solicited as it is not an easy task of recovering drugs and mobile phones concealed at various places.

The handing over of the first batch of official canines took place under the patronage of Prisons Minister D.M. Swaminathan. It is planned to relocate the Welikada Prisons at another place within next year. Prisons Commissioner General Nishan Danasinghe was present on the occasion.