The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Member, we take yesterday’s incident very seriously. It occurred inside a court. Under current procedure, armed officers do not enter courtrooms. A suspect also disguised himself as a lawyer. We have appointed a committee; with the IGP, prison authorities, and others we will discuss and, with consensus, provide for armed guards inside courts in special cases for special inmates. Screening procedures in courts must also be strengthened in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, Police and the Bar Association.

¶ 02 The inmate was brought from Boossa without incident on the road; the Department of Prisons did its part. However, due to underworld activity there are times when prison officers are in danger. We are fully focused on their safety and welfare. Some pay issues can be eased by the current salary increases, but given the risks, they deserve better allowances.