Rehab centre assault: Inmates sent to JMO

Welikanda Police said three inmates at the Senapura Tertiary and Vocational Education Centre, who were allegedly assaulted by Army officers, were produced before the Polonnaruwa Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) yesterday.

Welikanda OIC IP Samantha Rathnayake said the Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s Court ordered the Rehabilitation Commissioner General to report to the Court after presenting those three inmates to the JMO.

Rathnayake said statements were recorded from four inmates, who claimed that they were assaulted by the Army officers, but one of them had been released and had left the camp.

Rehabilitation Commissioner General Maj.Gen.Dharshana Hettiarachchi making a special media statement over the demonstration held by inmates in the Senapura Rehabilitation Centre said the allegations made by the inmates were baseless, adding that inmates are provided adequate food, accommodation and sanitary facilities.

Hettiarachchi said Court orders are necessary to release the inmates who have completed six months training at the camp and 126 inmates who received such Court orders were released within the last two weeks.

He said 207 inmates are currently receiving vocational training at the Senapura Rehabilitation Centre.