Sept 23, Colombo: A group of prisoners who have been convicted of various offenses have been protesting on the roof of the Welikada Prison for several days and the Minister of Justice Ali Sabry visited the prison to inquire into the issue this morning (23).

The Minister had a cordial discussion with the fasting prisoners and on behalf of the prisoners' side they commented on the current problems faced by the prisoners.

The prisoners specifically mentioned a number of factors affecting prisoners such as delays in filing appeals, mitigation of prison sentences for well-behaved prisoners, proper implementation of the rehabilitation system, and the establishment of a single criteria for all prisoners in granting pardons, and setting up a system to inquire into the well-being of prisoners and their families.

The Minister who listened to the problems and issues of the prisoners stated that there are people who continue to make mistakes as well as people who make mistakes once in a lifetime and opportunity should be provided to those to rectify those mistakes.

The Minister of Justice said his attention has been drawn to formulate a system to reduce the prison terms of those who have been imprisoned for a long time if their conduct is good.

Minister of Justice assured to take necessary action in this regard on the instructions of the President to expedite the implementation of solutions to these problems. He said that steps will be taken from today to make the necessary arrangements for this and the prisoners should take action to abandon their fast until such arrangements are made.

Secretary to the State Ministry of Prison Management and Prison Rehabilitation Retired Major General VR Silva, Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya and a group of prison officials were present on the occasion.