A search operation carried out by the Prison Intelligence Unit at Sri Lanka’s notorious Welikada Prison has revealed a major security breach, uncovering 16 mobile phones inside the ward where two high-profile political figures are being held. The discovery, which occurred during a routine inspection of the ‘K’ ward, has triggered concerns over corruption and the ability of influential inmates to maintain contact with the outside world while serving time. According to prison sources, the phones were found not only in the ward where former parliamentarian Duminda Silva and former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage are detained, but also in an adjacent ward, suggesting that the breach may be more widespread than initially thought.
Both Silva and Aluthgamage are being held in the same ward at Welikada Prison, one of the country’s most infamous detention centres, located in Colombo. Prison sources confirmed that the ‘K’ ward houses around 150 inmates in total, including the two high-profile convicts. The presence of mobile phones in the ward has sparked alarm, as these devices can enable inmates to coordinate illegal activities, influence political networks, or interfere with ongoing investigations. While prison officials have not yet disclosed the ownership of the phones or whether any of them were linked directly to Silva or Aluthgamage, the discovery has raised questions about how such devices could enter a high-security facility, and whether prison staff may have been involved.
The discovery is especially significant given the legal status of the two former officials. Duminda Silva, a former member of parliament, is facing the death penalty, a rare sentence in Sri Lanka that highlights the gravity of the crimes for which he has been convicted. Silva’s case has been a focal point of national controversy and public scrutiny, as he was found guilty of a politically charged murder case that has drawn widespread attention. His presence in Welikada’s ‘K’ ward has made the facility a focal point of political and legal debate, and the discovery of mobile phones in the same ward has intensified concerns about the possibility of illicit communication and influence from inside prison walls.
Former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, meanwhile, is serving a prison sentence after being convicted of corruption and financial misconduct during his time in government. His conviction and subsequent imprisonment have been seen as part of broader efforts to address political corruption in Sri Lanka, though his supporters have claimed the case was politically motivated. Aluthgamage’s detention alongside Silva has amplified concerns about how influential political figures can continue to access external networks while incarcerated. The fact that these two figures, both with significant political clout and deep connections, are held in the same ward has raised questions about the prison’s ability to enforce strict security measures and prevent illegal communication.
