The Department of Prisons has launched a disciplinary investigation following a trade union action by prison guards who have reported sick and subsequently been absent from work. The Commissioner of Prisons Administration, Gamini B. Dissanayake, reported that some officials also failed to attend court proceedings.

Reports suggest external pressure has deterred willing officers from reporting for duty, prompting further investigation. The protest, initiated by prison officers across major island prisons, is in response to demands for resolving salary disparities and includes refraining from escorting inmates to court.

Commissioner General of Prisons, Thushara Upuldeniya, confirmed ongoing discussions with the minister and the submission of a cabinet paper addressing the issue. On Monday, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage summoned the Commissioner General to court to explain the failure to produce remand suspects and ordered a comprehensive report on the officials who took sick leave. The Chief Magistrate emphasized that the Prisons Ordinance does not permit trade union actions that disrupt judicial proceedings and warned that such actions could result in contempt of court charges.