Subsequent to the death of an inmate caused by alleged food poisoning, the Department of Prisons said that it has not taken any decision to restrict bringing food from outside for individuals in remand custody since no major threat has been identified with the incident.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), Prisons Commissioner and Prisons Department Media Spokesperson Gamini B. Dissanayake noted that the Department does not identify anything problematic in terms of the security of the individuals who are in remand custody; therefore, there will be no issue of granting permission for outsiders, mostly the family members of those individuals, to bring food for them.

 Stating that the Prison Department will take necessary measures to check the food parcels if there is any suspicion about a particular individual, Dissanayake said that they are very attentive about whether any illegal substances or equipment are brought inside the remand with these food parcels. “There was only one death reported, even though the media reported it as two. The cause of death is yet to be discovered; therefore, we cannot surely say that it was caused by food poisoning. We are yet to receive the forensic report, after which we can come to a conclusion. We do not intend to restrict outside foods, as it is the right of a person in remand custody. Most of the time, immediate relationships bring food to these individuals. Therefore, there is no significant threat. But if we notice anything suspicious, we will check the parcels,” he noted.

According to the media, the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) had issued an open verdict regarding the autopsy of the inmate, who had allegedly died after consuming a rice parcel containing pork curry. Subsequently, the deceased’s body parts are reportedly expected to be taken to the Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka (MRI) for further tests.

 According to reports, relatives of one of the hospitalised inmates had brought a parcel of rice with pork curry prepared at home for the inmates the day before.  Approximately 15 inmates had reportedly consumed this rice parcel, leading to three of the inmates being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital due to suspected food poisoning. However, the Department of Prisons said the internal investigation that is being conducted regarding this incident is yet to be finished.