INMATES LAUNCH PROTEST AT AGUNUKOLAPELESSA PRISON

The residents hailed the steps taken by the authorities to deploy the STF

A group of detainees staged a protest fast on the four-storeyed observation tower of the Angunakolapelessa Prison Complex last morning against the deployment of Police Special Task Force (STF) to guard the prisons for its security.

It was reported that at least 75 inmates are protesting on top of the tower.

A special unit of the STF had been deployed outside Angunakolapelessa Prison earlier this week to prevent drugs and other devices from reaching prison inmates.

According to an officer who wished to remain anonymous said “a contingent of more than 100 STF personnel had been deployed to guard the prison complex and to check the parcels brought by the relatives and visitors,” an officer said.

The protesting prisoners displayed placards and waved black flags criticizing the decision to deploy the STF.

Relatives of prisoners said they had been prevented from bringing any articles from the open market and compelled to buy goods sold at the outlet at the prisons complex at exorbitant prices.

However, the residents hailed the steps taken by the authorities to deploy the STF to provide protection to the prisons.

Earlier, the Ministry of Justice and Prisons Reforms said some 300 STF personnel would be deployed for such duties at the Colombo Remand Prison, Magazine Prison, Welikada Prison and the Angunakolapelessa Prison.