State Minister of Prisons Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Sudarshani Fernandopulle has directed the ministry’s secretary to appoint a committee to carry out a fair ministry-level investigation into the recent events that took place in prisons across the country.

The committee, chaired by an additional secretary of the ministry, will consist of not less than three members.

Several recent incidents reported in prisons including the death of an inmate at Monaragala Prison, the assault on a Matara Prison inmate, the escape attempt of old Bogambara Prison inmates and the death of another inmate, as well as the protests stages by inmates at Welikada and Magazine prisons are expected to be probed by the prospective committee.

According to reports, State Minister Fernandopulle has called for a report compiled by the committee in three weeks’ time.

She has also given directives to take disciplinary and legal actions against any individual who is held accountable for these incidents.