The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to pay half of the salary of the Commissioner General (CG) of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, who is currently in remand custody, for the duration of his suspension.

The matter was confirmed by Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday (11).   

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Upuldeniya on Monday (9), in connection with investigations into allegations that he aided and abetted the unlawful release of an inmate from the Anuradhapura Prison under the Presidential pardon granted for Vesak Poya. On Monday, a decision was also taken by the Cabinet to suspend the services of Upuldeniya, in order to facilitate an impartial inquiry. The decision was taken during the weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Meanwhile, the Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison, who was arrested by the CID and subsequently remanded over allegations of unlawfully releasing an inmate of the Anuradhapura Prison under the Presidential pardon for Vesak Poya, has been further remanded until tomorrow (13). The order has been issued by the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.

Upuldeniya, who was arrested by the CID and subsequently remanded, has been further remanded until 25 June. The order was issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali. Considering the submissions presented by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and the defense counsel, Chief Magistrate Lakmali rejected the bail application filed on behalf of Upuldeniya.