Now, President to recruit ex-military personnel to cleanse jails of drugs, etc.

By Norman Palihawadana

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed the formation of a special unit of retired military personnel to check all prison officers who enter and leave prisons, State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, Lohan Ratwatte said yesterday.

Ratwatte told The Island that earlier only junior prison officers were frisked, but recent developments had shown th need to frisk even the most senior prison officials.

The objective was to stem the flow of drugs, cellphones and money into the prisons, he said.

“The President has instructed us to recruit 200 military personnel who retired after 12 years in service. We are trying to recruit them soon.”