The Lawyers of National People’s Power (NPP) held a press conference yesterday (16) where Lawyer Upul Kumarapperuma stated that just because the firearm of Former State Minister of Prisons and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte was licensed, it does not mean that it is licensed to “kill”. This statement was said further to allegations against Ratwatte which detailed that he had misbehaved at the Anuradhapura Prison Complex last Sunday, where many had condemned the actions of the former minister. Kumarapperuma questioned the security at the Prison Complex as in the last few months security protocols were beefed up and items such as wallets, purses and belts were all removed for inspection prior to entering the Prison. Whereas, when the former Minister had entered the Prison intoxicated with a firearm, suggesting that none of these protocols were followed and the behaviour was tolerated by the Prison guards. According to Kumarapperuma, from the entrance itself, Ratwatte had committed a crime by not following the security protocols along with a list of other offences.

Source: The Nation September 17, 2021 03:56 UTC