Chinese technical expertise for Horana prison complex - Ali Sabry | Sunday Observer

Chinese technical expertise for Horana prison complex - Ali Sabry

20 December, 2020

Justice Minister Ali Sabry said on Friday (18) that Sri Lanka will seek technical expertise from China to construct a large prison complex in Horana on an accelerated project.

He refuted allegations that China will fund the project. The Minister said the proposed facility in the outskirts of Colombo could house a large number of prisoners with many facilities. The prison will be built on a 250-acre land to accommodate convicts and remandees and a rehabilitation centre with recreational facilities.

Debunking reports that Chinese prisoners will be accommodated, he said the facility will house only locals.

He said there are plans for a prefabricated structure which would save construction time and be ready for use within a short period. He recalled that the Covid-19 virus treatment hospital in the city of Wuhan was built in 10 days. “We are looking for a similar structure which can be built speedily,” Sabry said.

Refuting reports that Chinese funds would be used for the project, he said the Government will only obtain China’s technical know-how.

The Minister said there were around 30,000 inmates in jails prior to the pandemic outbreak and now the number has reduced to 23,000 due to the Government’s efforts to reduce congestion, granting pardon and releasing them on bail or on good behaviour. There are 8,000 convicts, many of whom are drug addicts. “Our plan is to rehabilitate drug addicts and send them back to society in a phased out program,” he said, adding that such programs could reform 20 percent of those who participate in the rehabilitation project and others would follow suit in subsequent programs, in a cycle.

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