SJB opposes move to reopen Bogambara Prison

12-Jul-2026

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has opposed the Government's decision to reopen Bogambara Prison in central Kandy, describing it as an injustice to the people of the district.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo on July 10, SJB MP Chamindrani Kiriella said the decision was a hasty, temporary response to the recent Negombo Prison unrest. She argued that billions of rupees in public funds would be spent to renovate the century-old colonial-era prison.

She noted that the prison was relocated to Pallekele in 2014 with the blessings of the Mahanayake Theras to facilitate Kandy's social and cultural development, while the historic 1876 building was intended to be preserved as a heritage site.

Kiriella also said plans made during the previous Good Governance administration to develop the 12-acre site into the 'Kandyan Arena' with Japanese assistance had been shelved due to various crises. She urged the Government to revive the project with foreign investment, saying it could generate more than 2,000 jobs.

She added that reopening Bogambara Prison would not resolve prison overcrowding, as remand prisoners account for nearly 75 per cent of the prison population, and called for alternative measures to ease congestion.