Colombo Central Ariyarathna Ganegoda
Several complaints have been lodged concerning high ranking officials attached to the Prisons Department who had allegedly become ‘overnight millionaires’ in a suspicious manner, Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms sources have told Daily News.
In this connection, the income and asset situation of certain high level Prisons officials will come under scrutiny on the instructions of the Bribery Commission (BC), these source said.
The investigations will focus on 10 high-ranking Prisons Department officers who are alleged to have become millionaires in a short period of time after joining the Department. These officers had initially joined the Prisons service as mid-level government servants. However, they are reported to have acquired properties and vehicles in a suspicious manner that is not in keeping with their regular income.
The Department now suspects that various illegal activities carried out in the Prisons might be the main reason behind this clandestine wealth accumulation by officers. A number of high ranking officers, who initially used to travel by public transport to work are now reported to be travelling in their own luxury vehicles while spending money lavishly on parties, weddings and foreign tours, Justice & Prison Reforms State Minister Mohan de Silva told the media on Friday.
De Silva pointed out that the reputation of such officers tarnished the image of Prisons Department.