The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the payment of half the salary to Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya during his suspension period.

This was revealed by Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held today (11 June).

Meanwhile, H.M.N.C. Dhanasinghe, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, has been appointed to oversee duties of the Commissioner General of Prisons in addition to his current responsibilities.

Upuldeniya was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 9 June over allegations of illegally releasing a prisoner by misusing the President’s general pardon.

Due to concerns that his continued service as Commissioner General could interfere with the ongoing investigations, the Cabinet had earlier decided to suspend him to ensure an impartial inquiry.