July 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka government is considering a move to take the Prisons Department under the Ministry of Defense.

According to the government sources, the idea was held back earlier as a separate Ministry was formed to administer the prisons only.

However, the government is now re-considering the proposal due to the deterioration of discipline in prisons. The situation has caused a security threat also, sources say.

Sri Lanka's prisons are ill famous for drug abuse, underworld activities and other offences. A number of prison riots were also reported in the recent times. In recent raids large stocks of illegal items were also recovered from the prisoners' possession.

The Ministry of Prison Reforms will be annulled in case if the Prisons Department is taken over by the Ministry of Defense.