Alleged threatening of PTA detainees in Anuradhapura prison: President accepts Lohan’s resignation

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has accepted State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners' Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte’s resignation, President’s Media Division confirmed a short while ago.

The President Media Division said that State Minister had taken responsibility for the two incidents in which he entered Welikada and Anuradhapura prison complexes along with friends, some under the influence of liquor, and threatened prisoners.

The Minister in the letter of resignation said he is willingly resigning in order to avoid any inconvenience caused to the government.

Earlier today, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to immediately remove the minister involved in behaving inappropriately at a state prison.

“I vehemently condemn the disgraceful and illegal behavior of a government minister at the Anuradhapura Prison Complex. This disgusting, unlawful act amply exemplifies the anarchical situation that exists in our country,” Mr. Premadasa said in a tweet.

Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam in a tweet said the State Minister had gone to the Anuradhapura prisons, summoned Tamil political prisoners and had got two of them to kneel in front of him.

“The State Minister had his personal firearm pointed at them and had threatened to kill them on the spot,” Mr. Ponnambalam said.