"Never let yourself repent on the deathbed over feeding and educating your children with money given by organized criminals," Defence Ministry Secretary Maj. Gen (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne sad while warning prison officials against alleged acts of corruption within the prison.

He said officials investigations have already begun on corrupt officials.

Gunaratne said although the Prisons Department operated under the purview of the Ministry of Justice, he had a right to get involved in the matter as over 27,000 convicts across the country were apprehended by officers attached to the Ministry of Defence.

The Defence Ministry said Police and STF officers constantly risk their lives to apprehend criminals and maintain law and order.

"Therefore, prison officials also have a responsibility to maintain order in prisons," he said.