In the wake of several deaths reported inside prisons in the recent past, including the latest incident involving a death-row inmate linked to the killing of former Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala, Justice Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara said that the Prison authorities and the Justice Ministry are continuously taking measures to prevent such incidents.

Commenting to The Daily Morning yesterday (14), he said: “The Ministry and Prison authorities are always engaged in these matters. Precautionary measures are continuously being taken and attention is constantly given to issues within prisons.”

Referring to the latest incident, he said that investigations are continuing to determine exactly what happened. “The investigations are still ongoing. So far, there has been no indication of foul play. There were no prison officers stationed inside that particular hall, and there had been no other person inside at the time. Investigations are continuing to establish what really happened.”

The comments came after a detainee sentenced to death in connection with the killing of former Polonnaruwa District MP Athukorala died after reportedly falling from a building within the Welikada Prison. Prison sources said that the inmate sustained critical injuries following the fall and was admitted to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The latest incident has once again drawn attention to deaths and suicides reported within prisons over the years, with rights groups and observers repeatedly raising concerns about inmate welfare, overcrowding, mental health support, and prison monitoring mechanisms.