The Welikada Prison (Sinhala: වැලිකඩ බන්ධනාගාරය; also known as the Magazine Prison) is a maximum-security prison and the largest prison in Sri Lanka. It was built in 1841 by the British colonial government under Governor Campbell. The prison covers an area of 48 acres (190,000 m2). It is overcrowded with about 1700 detainees exceeding the actual number that could be accommodated. The prison also has a gallows (unused since 1959) and its own hospital. The prison is administered by the Department of Prisons.

Welikada Prison
Welikada Prison is located in Central Colombo
Welikada Prison
General information
TypePrison
Town or cityWelikada, Colombo
CountrySri Lanka
Coordinates6°55′19″N 79°52′49″E / 6.92194°N 79.88028°E / 6.92194; 79.88028
Construction started1841
Completed1841
ClientBritish Government,
Sri Lankan Government

Following the attempted military coup in 1962, the arrested military and police officers were remanded pending trial in a special section at Welikada prison called the Magazine Section. To guard these officers, a special security detachment called the composite guard was selected from the Ceylon Light Infantry, with Major A Hulangamuwa in charge.

2012 Prison riot

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In November 2012, 27 people died in clashes between inmates and prison guards.[1]

Core functions

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  • Detention of prisoners on first conviction
  • Categorization of convicted prisoners on admission and transferring them to relevant prisons
  • Detention of condemned prisoners
  • Production of suspects to Kesbewa and Moratuwa courts
  • Provision of vocational training to prisoners
  • Launching of welfare and rehabilitation programs for prisoners

Relocation

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It is proposed to relocate the prison to Horana by 2024. The existing complex will be opened for investments.[2]

Notable inmates

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Scouting

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The world's first prison Scout Group registered by Imperial Scout Headquarters started at Welikada Prison in 1926.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Sri Lanka's Welikada prison clash leaves 27 dead". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  2. ^ "35 acres land of Welikada prison complex to be allocated for investments - Top Story | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  3. ^ "Department of Prisons". www.prisons.gov.lk. Archived from the original on 2017-04-29.
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