The congestion in 30 prisons in the country including Welikada prison has come to a head with more than 26,000 inmates being housed in them where only 10,000 could be detained, prison sources said.

The situation has drawn the attention of even President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who has instructed to build a new prison in Watareka, Homagama to ease the situation.

Commissioner General of Prisons T.M.J.W. Tennakoon said that a 38-acre land in the area has already been allocated for the purpose under the instructions of the President.

He stated that the construction of the new prison is expected to commence next year.

It is reported that skin diseases have spread in some prisons mainly due to the congestion. (Indika Sri Aravinda)