Death row inmate Duminda Silva has been transferred back to the general cell at Welikada Prison after a series of rapid relocations between hospitals and prison facilities within the past week.

Silva, who had initially been moved to the general cell of the Welikada Prison on 10 January, was transferred to the Colombo National Hospital in the early hours of 11 January after reportedly experiencing sudden health complications. Following treatment, he was returned to the Prison Hospital on 12 January. Today, 16 January, he has been sent back to Welikada Prison once again.

This sequence of transfers followed an inquiry by the Commissioner General of Prisons to the Director General of Health Services. A medical team of 18 specialists appointed by the Ministry of Health previously determined that Silva did not require inpatient treatment at the prison hospital or any other medical facility, except in cases of emergency complications. Based on this recommendation, Silva had initially been moved to the general prison cell.

However, Silva’s frequent transfers have sparked scrutiny, with Prisons Media Spokesperson Gamini B. Dissanayake claiming that all moves were made in accordance with medical advice.