The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) met Mr. Thusara Upuldeniya, Commissioner General of Prisons on 12 May 2021 at the head office of the Human Rights Commission Sri Lanka. Commissioners Mr. Harsha Nawaratne, Ms. Anusuya Shanmuganathan, Mr. Nimal Karunasiri participated in the meeting. Ms. Sulari Liyanagama, Director – Inquiries & Investigations (Actg.), and Mr. Nihal Chandrasiri, Director – Research & Monitoring (Actg.) were at the meeting. Director of Prison Health, Dr. Hemantha Ranasinghe also participated in this meeting.

The following matters were discussed;

1. Treatment plan and control measures within the Prison system about the COVID-!9 Pandemic situation.
2. Strengthen the present communication system between detainees and their family members.
3. Review the riot control measures taken up after theMaharaPrison Riot in November 2020.
4. Availability and accessibility of the information on COVID-19 positive detainees to their family members.
5. Recent torture allegation of Mr.Sampath Aselaand preventive measures of torture in prisons.
6. Establishment of a Focal Point to expedite communication between HRCSL and the Prison Department.