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| Commissioner General of Prisons, Maj. Gen. Vajira Wijegunawardena |
Commissioner General of Prisons, Maj. Gen. Vajira Wijegunawardena said the Prisons Department had initiated an inquiry into allegations that a woman who allegedly assaulted a jailor’s wife had been beaten up and ill treated while in remand custody.
“This is a very grave allegation and I am treating it with the seriousness it deserves. I am in the process of conducting an inquiry into this incident and if proven guilty, persons involved will be interdicted,” the Commissioner of Prisons said.
Investigations are being carried out following a complaint that a woman identified as G. G. Nandani Kumari was assaulted and ill-treated while in remand custody.
Nandani a resident of Kaikawila in Matale was arrested by officers attached to the Matale police station on June 27 following a private argument with a neighbour, Ms. R.M. Padmakumari. Mrs. Padmakumari is the wife of the OIC of the Matale remand prison.
Nandani claimed that she and her son were assaulted by Padmakumari. However, the latter admitted herself to the Rathtota hospital the same day alleging Nandani had cut and injured her with a knife.
Nandani later complained to the Kandy branch of the Human Rights Commission that she was ill treated, assaulted and intimidated by police officers and jailors of the prison.
The case had also been reported to the Secretary of the Jana Sansadaya. organization. Chithralal Perera of the Jana Sansadaya said the matter was referred to the IGP, Jayantha Wickramaratne.
“The case has been referred to the relevant authorities. We are awaiting a response. However, we will continue to campaign on behalf of the victim Nandani and will not stop until justice is achieved,” Mr. Perera said. | 
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