Of the 2,500 inmates currently in Mahara Prison, 189 have been identified as being infected with COVID and the arrangements have been made to provide them with the necessary facilities. Meanwhile, nearly 100 detainees who have been granted bail have also been sent home following the PCR tests being done, said Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne.


The Defence Secretary further said that there were 21,000 pills of three types used for mental disorders in the drug store of the Mahara Prison. Furthermore the secretary stated
and they are looking into whether the use of drugs used for mental disorders instead of the drugs they were addicted to, could have caused this unrest.

All other issues including the security of the inmates and prison guards at the Mahara Prison will be fully resolved by tomorrow (02), the Defence Secretary said in response to a question raised by Parliamentarian Sahan Pradeep.

The Members of Parliament who visited the Consultative Committee on National Security drew the attention of the Chairman to the problem of narcotics in their respective areas and it was suggested that a program be implemented to rehabilitate drug addicts in this regard.

The Defence Secretary said that strong measures have been taken to eradicate narcotics island-wide and as a result, the price of narcotics in the market is high these days and its composition has come down to a very low level.

Meanwhile, In addition, to the Kandakadu Center for the Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts as a long term drug prevention program, with the assistance of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Residential Rehabilitation Centers are being set up soon in Pallansena, Weerawila, Embilipitiya and Nittambuwa said the Defence Secretary