Prison Reforms Ministry And Police In Tug-Of-War Over Prison Bus Attack

February 27, 2017

The Prison Reforms Ministry has held the Police Department responsible for the shooting in Kalutara in which seven individuals, including a leading underworld figure, were killed. 

In a special statement this evening, Prison Reforms Minister D.M. Swaminathan said the Police had failed to provide security to the prison bus which came under attack. 

The Minister said the Prison Department had made a request to the Police to provide security. '

The request had been made on the basis that the persons traveling in the bus had been prosecuted for serious crimes. 

The Kalutara Police, in response, had stated that they were not in a position to provide security due to shortage of officers. 

Commenting on the matter, Police Media Spokesman DIG Priyantha Jayakody said although the Police officers did not provide security, the prison guards traveling in the bus were armed. 

"They were armed and they had the weapon training. Sometimes, the Police cannot deploy officers to guard buses, That's why armed prison officers accompany prisoners," the Media Spokesman added. 

However, the Prison Reforms Minister had appointed a three member committee to look into the matter and highlight shortcomings on the part of the relevant authorities. 

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