Aug 11, Colombo: The Department of Prisons has announced that the ban on visitors to see inmates in prisons will be lifted from next Saturday (15).

The Commissioner of Prisons (Administration) Chandana Ekanayake said the administration has decided to allow inmates to meet their relatives in strict compliance with health and safety measures.

A special discussion chaired by Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya in this regard was held Monday with the participation of the Prisons Medical Director, the Deputy Directors and the Commissioners.

The Commissioner further stated that a guest is allowed to visit only one inmate once a week and visitors are still prohibited from bringing food to the inmates.

In the wake of finding a COVID-19 infected inmate in Welikada Prison in Colombo last month, the decision was taken to ban visitors to all the prisons in the country from 8th July, until further notice.