UNODC to provide assistance to create drug- free prisons

By Thisari Walawege  

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today said they would provide technological and other assistance needed to create a drug-free prison environment in Sri Lanka.  
They said this at a discussion held between Minister of Justice, Human Rights & Legal Reforms Nimal Siripala de Silva and a group of representatives including Miwa Panholzer Kato, Director of the division for operations at UNODC and Alan Cole who heads UNODC’s Global Maritime Crime Programme, at the ministry premises.The discussion focused on the use of global technology and knowledge to minimize the prevailing usage of drugs and drug trafficking in prisons in Sri Lanka. 

 
The minister said the Justice ministry was ready to work hand in hand with the United Nations Organisation (UNO) to ensure prison welfare in Sri Lanka. Moreover, he said it was reported that the current accommodation facilities in prisons are inadequate for prisoners.  

“It is a policy of the new government to provide better infrastructure facilities for the betterment of prison welfare and I intend to dedicate myself for the cause,” he said.