By

Karu Jayasuriya M.P.

(Brief Notes on the Media Conference held by Hon Karu Jayasuriya UNP Member of Parliament for Gampaha District on 13th November 2012)

1. Yesterday a statement made by the present Commissioner General of Prisons appeared in an English Newspaper. He has proposed that the Prisons should come under the control of the Ministry of Defence.

2. We are amazed by this statement and regret that such a childish statement has been made by a state official holding a high post.

3. The statement of the Commissioner General is a very serious one since it is not clear whether it is his own or made at the behest of another individual.

4. In democratic countries Prisons do not come under the administration or control of the military. Prisons come under the control of military in countries under dictatorship.

5. In those countries citizens with dissenting views against the rule of the dictatorship are treated as enemies and subjected to harassment and force inflicted on them.

6. The concept in democracies is different. Prisoners are re-introduced into society after rehabilitating them under the theme “Prisoners are also humans”.

7. From the inception of the Sri Lanka Prisons Department in 1867 to 1996, the post of Commissioner General of Prisons was held by an Officer attired in the Uniform of the Prison Service. This situation changed after 1996. Some of those who were appointed safeguarded the honour of their uniform.

8. If there is a decline inside the prisons recently, powerful politicians are responsible. Some of the goons who were imprisoned became the tools and personal body guards of some politicians.

9. Due to corrupt prison officers, we do not approve the proposal to bring the prisons under the control of the military.

10. There are honest dedicated officers in the prison service. It is very unfair to label all prison officers as corrupt. The period of administration during Mr. Delgoda, Commissioner General of Prisons could be named as the golden era of prisons administration. His skills were recognized abroad.

11. During the recent past, Heads of the Prison Service were brought in from outside the prison service. There were two commissioners suitable for the post. Things will get complicated when such actions are taken.

12. They are officers with necessary qualifications and were recognized within the institution.

13. Although charges have been framed against one of them after a lapse of one year, a charge sheet has not been issued yet. It shows that this is just dawdling with a view to appoint a person to suit their political needs.

14. Present Commissioner General has no experience in the administration of prisons. He is a retired civil servant over 63 years. It recalls to our mind the unfortunate incidents which occurred in Vauvniya, Anuradhapura, Magazine Prisons and recent incident in Welikada Prison, during this administration.

15. An experienced officer within the institution should be appointed to these posts. They know the inside of the institution and the good and bad officers. When there are opportunities for promotions within the institution, hope kindles regarding the career opportunities. We can take an example from neighbouring countries. India is one example. Kiran Bedi who held the position of Commissioner General of Prisons in India won global respect. She was honoured by the United Nations Organization.

16. In many countries prisons are administered by the Ministry of Justice. Even the police is administered by a civil institution and not by the Ministry of Defence. In countries in South Asia, several police services are administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

17. United National Front government in 2001, administered the Police through the Internal Defence Ministry.

18. Politicization is the main cause for the deterioration of the Police. This decline took place by appointing henchmen in place of suitable officers.

19. Julumpitiye Amare visits the Tangalle Prison in a motor cycle carrying a T56 weapon. He was wearing a dress similar to the army uniform. These things happen with the political clout. Therefore every blame should not be put on the officers.

20. We witnessed the way present Commissioner General behaved openly to satisfy those who are in power. For the first time in the history he imposed limits for Members of Parliament visiting hospital, when General Fonseka was imprisoned, violating the clauses in the Prisons Act. Members of Parliament were made to loiter around. On many occasions it was found difficult to contact him over the telephone. Today, we face the result of those politically biased decisions.

21. We saw similar breakdown in administration in many prisons during the recent past. There is deterioration in administration when it is weak. When the opportunity is not given to the person who deserves it, when there are external interferences.

22. Despite the attempts by the Minister in charge, this institution is subjected to political power.

23. The incident on the 10th is a black mark for the Prison Service. Initially, it was reported that 16 were dead. Subsequently, the following day it was reported that another 11 notorious criminals were dead.

24. There are different views on these 11 deaths. Some are scary. We do not intend to discuss it now. But there should be a proper investigation regarding these incidents. Otherwise these incidents will bring disgrace.

25. It is the duty of the government to provide protection and to protect the rights given by the act, to notorious criminals condemned to death and drug addicts.

26. According to the information available to us the search was conducted at the time when all prisoners were out for meals. This is not proper.

27. Fire arms are taken in only when it is necessary or with permission. In this instance no such permission was obtained. We should be able to realize the mentality of the inmates as they are also human.

28. We do not approve the incident. This is one instance of the decline of the institutions in the country. What we should do is to investigate thoroughly and rectify the defects. We express these views to emphasize that we should establish an efficient prison service, instead of introducing military administration inside the prisons. Provide opportunities to qualified efficient officers to climb up the ladder within the institution. Do not mess up the administration by bringing in outsiders to higher positions. We wish to stress, that the government should not leave room for incidents which are derogatory to humankind