In accordance with the request of the Hon. Minister of Justice, Harshana Nanayakkara, a special emergency discussion to review the current situation, security arrangements, and future measures concerning the Jaffna and Vavuniya Prisons in the Northern Province was held this evening – on Wednesday, 05 August 2026, at the Northern Province Governor’s Secretariat. The meeting was jointly chaired by the Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, R. Chandrasekhar, and the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
Speaking about the discussion, Minister R. Chandrasekhar stated that, unlike the prisons in Southern Sri Lanka, the Jaffna and Vavuniya Prisons in the Northern Province are operating in a very peaceful and secure manner, according to assurances given by prison officials. Although these prisons are experiencing a certain degree of overcrowding, appropriate measures have been taken to address the issue.
Furthermore, unlike many other prisons, these institutions are carrying out a variety of constructive activities for inmates, including vocational training, continuation of education, library facilities, and computer training. As a result, it can be observed that these prisons have now been transformed into a “place of learning.”
As considerable attention is currently being given to prison disturbances occurring across the country, special security plans have been formulated and proposed to ensure the safety of inmates and to prepare the province to effectively respond to any unforeseen situations.
It was also stated that, in order to address various shortcomings, including the shortage of personnel in prisons, it has been decided to forward the additional report prepared by the security authorities to the Hon. Minister of Justice so that appropriate solutions can be obtained.
The emergency discussion was attended by the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Northern Province, the Deputy Inspector General of Police – Jaffna District, the Commander of the 512th Brigade, the Director of Planning of the Jaffna District Secretariat, the Jaffna Divisional Secretary, the Superintendent of Prisons and prison officials, the Assistant Secretary to the Governor, the Private Secretary to the Governor and the Coordinator to the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee.
