Karu bemoans bloody riots in Prison, raps Chief,Govt.

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya yesterday condemned the recent bloody riots in Prison, serious lapses in administration and the suggestion it should come under the Defence Ministry.

“There was a statement made by the present Commissioner General of Prisons to the effect that the Prisons should come under the control of the Ministry of Defence. We are amazed by this statement and regret that such a childish statement has been made by a state official holding a high post. 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,” Jayasuriya told a media briefing yesterday.

He said 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.

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

The UNP MP said 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.

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

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,” Jayasuriya said.

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

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,” the former UNP Deputy Leader said.

He charged that the 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.

“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.

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,” Jayasuriya said.

“Politicization is the main cause for the deterioration of the Police.  This decline took place by appointing henchmen in place of suitable officers,” he alleged.

Jayasuriya recalled that 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.

“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,”  Jayasuriya said adding that despite the attempts by the Minister in charge, this institution is subjected to political power.

The UNP MP also emphasised it was the duty of the Government to provide protection and to protect the rights given by the act and that the Friday’s bloody riots must be thoroughly investigated and necessary action taken.  “We should establish an efficient prison service, instead of introducing military administration inside the prisons.  There must be opportunities to qualified efficient officers to climb up the ladder within the institution.  The Government shouldn’t 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,” MP Jayasuriya said.