In a move that reflects the growing public concern over the treatment of inmates, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Prisons, Lohan Ratwatte, has submitted his resignation following allegations of threatening two Tamil prisoners at gunpoint. The incident, which occurred at a prison in Anuradhapura, north of Colombo, has sparked outrage and calls for action.
Ratwatte’s resignation was tendered to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday, and the president’s office confirmed that it was accepted. While Ratwatte did not directly address the allegations in his resignation letter, he expressed his desire not to cause embarrassment to the government amidst media reports.
According to Tamil minority lawmaker Gajen Ponnambalam, Ratwatte had summoned the Tamil prisoners and compelled two of them to kneel before him while brandishing his personal firearm, threatening their lives. Tamil political parties have accused the minister of attempting to force confessions regarding their alleged links to the Tamil Tiger rebels, who were involved in a separatist war that ended in 2009.
The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) has condemned the minister’s actions, emphasizing the already traumatic experiences endured by Tamil political prisoners, who are detained under the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The incident has amplified concerns about human rights abuses and the treatment of ethnic minority prisoners.
In a separate incident, local newspapers reported that a government minister forcibly entered the Welikada prison in Colombo to facilitate a visit to the gallows by a group of friends. While the newspapers did not disclose the minister’s identity, Ratwatte has taken responsibility for both incidents, as confirmed by the president’s office.
The timing of these allegations is particularly significant as the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva recently urged Sri Lanka to either prosecute or release 78 Tamil prisoners who have been incarcerated for an extended period without being formally charged. The actions of Minister Ratwatte, despite international scrutiny, have underscored concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing human rights issues.
Opposition legislator Gajen Ponnambalam criticized the minister’s behavior, stating that it demonstrated the state’s lack of concern in the face of the UNHRC’s attention on Sri Lanka. International organizations such as Amnesty International have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, stressing the need for accountability.
Sri Lankan prisons face significant overcrowding issues, with a capacity designed to accommodate 11,000 inmates currently holding more than 32,000 individuals. This incident further highlights the urgent need for prison reforms and improved conditions within the country’s correctional facilities.
It remains to be seen who will assume the role of Minister of Prisons following Ratwatte’s resignation. The government will face mounting pressure to ensure that such incidents are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate measures are implemented to protect the rights and well-being of all prisoners in Sri Lanka.
The recent history of violence within Sri Lankan prisons, exemplified by the riot that occurred in November last year, where a dozen inmates were killed and hundreds injured, underscores the need for comprehensive reforms within the prison system to prevent further tragedies and safeguard the dignity of those incarcerated.
By Malki Perera & Thushi Perera
