State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries Lohan Ratwatte has denied all accusations levelled against him in connection to the recent incidents reported at the Welikada and Anuradhapura prisons.
Rawatte was forced to resign as the State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation after he was accused of forcefully entering the Welikada and Anuradhapura prisons with a group of friends while under the influence of alcohol. He was also accused of threatening two prisoners at the Anuradhapura prison making them kneel at gunpoint.
Denying all accusations yesterday, Lohan Ratwatte, who is still the State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries, said that he was ‘not stupid’ to resort to such action.
Breaking his silence for the first time on the incidents, Ratwatte told the Daily Mirror newspaper that he had not threatened the prisoners at the Anuradhapura Prison and had in fact visited the prison on a routine check only.
However, Ratwatte accepted that he had visited the gallows at the Welikada Prison but that too was for a routine check and denied allegations that he was intoxicated or visited the gallows with his friends including a female accomplice, adding that he was alone.
The former State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation pointed out that he had taken over the prison system at a time when the prisons were burning and had changed the whole system.
He pointed out that he had controlled and stoped several illegal activities operating inside and being executed from within the prison, such as drug operations, gang murders, and the smuggling of mobile phones and other gadgets.
Explaining the incidents that had occurred on Sunday (12), he said as the subject Minister he was vested with powers to visit the prison without prior notice for routine checks, which was his practice, in order to inquire and learn what was occurring inside the prisons.
“Over the weekend I went to the Anuradhapura Prison only to check as I did with the other prisons. I never broke in and I never threatened any prisoner. That is not my job. That is not me.” Ratwatte said.
The Minister reiterated that he never took anyone to see the gallows inside the Welikada Prison, but had visited the prison alone for an inspection.
Lohan Ratwatte denied the allegations levelled against him over the two incidents, stating that it is now up to the President and Prime Minister to realize the truth.
He added that, however, he will continue his duties and work as the State Minister of Gem and Jewellery Related Industries.
Meanwhile, several opposition Parliamentarians and activists have called on the Government to arrest Lohan Ratwatte over the two incidents. (NewsWire)