January 26, Colombo (LNW): In a statement to the Daily News on January 25, Rehabilitation Commissioner Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi highlighted the emergence of conflicts within the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre, primarily instigated by drug peddlers. Major General Hettiarachchi emphasized the heightened scrutiny on individuals involved in drug trafficking admitted to the center, revealing that recent disturbances, including the incident on the night of January 24, were linked to this specific group.
The Rehabilitation Commissioner disclosed that the conflicts prompted a swift response, and legal measures would be pursued to relocate the implicated drug traffickers to alternative facilities through the judicial system.
The Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre primarily serves as a facility for the rehabilitation of drug users, occasionally admitting individuals involved in drug trafficking upon their arrest. Major General Hettiarachchi assured that the identification process for traffickers within the center was underway.
In response to the situation, Major General Hettiarachchi informed the public that steps would be taken based on the recommendations provided by the five-member committee appointed by Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Minister Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. Additionally, the Minister has already directed a change in the management of the center, underscoring the commitment to address and rectify the issues at hand.
