Sri Lanka: Correction Centers to be revamped

Ministry of Justice and Law Reform is planning to revamp the existing community based correction centers in the country in a bid dispense justice in a more meaningful manner.

Accordingly those who are convicted for minor offences will be sent to these community based correction centers to work in a religious environment with the aim of reforming them and affording them an opportunity to be productive and useful to the society.

The Ministry is planning to set up four such centers in the Colombo district and had already identified two religious institutions to house minor offenders, they are Sri Sudharshanaramaya,Maligawatte and the Sitti Vinayagar Hindu Kovil also from Maligawatte.

Two other community based correction centers would shortly be set up under the supervision of the Christian Church and the Muslim Clergy.

Minister Milinda Moragoda recently inspected the Correction Center at Maligawatte Sri Sudharshanaramaya along with Commissioner of Community based corrections Lalitha P Andrahannadi, Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Gamini Kariyawasam, Coordinating Secretary K. W. Tennekoon and officials attached to the Commissioner Office P.V.S. Senaratne and Lionel Kulatilake.

Twenty minor offenders were admitted to the Correction Center at Sri Sudharshanaramaya on the occasion.

- Asian Tribune -