The commercial value of the land where the Welikada prison is located has been estimated as over Rs. 32 billion, State Minister of Justice and Prison Affairs Anuradha Jayaratne stated.

State Minister Jayaratne stated that taking this situation into consideration, 200 acres of land belonging to the Urban Development Authority in Horana has been acquired for the Prison Department. 

He further stated that Instructions have been given to call for project reports not exceeding Rs. 18 billion for the construction of a prison in Horana.

“We hope to complete the project with all modern facilities through an international tender call. The new jail is about four times the size of the existing jail,” the State Minister revealed.

State Minister Jayaratne added that apart from this, it is hoped to promote the open-air prison system and introduce the geo-tag system for civil convicts.

The State Minister of Justice and Prison Affairs expressed these views during a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) on Thursday (10).