The Welikada Prison is a maximum security prison and is the largest prison in Sri Lanka. It was built in 1841 by the British colonial government under Governor Cameron. The prison covers and area of. It is over-crowded with about 1700 detainees exceeding the actual member that could be accommodated. The prison also has a gallows and has its own hospital too. The prison is administrated by the Department of Prisons.Following the attempted military coup in 1962, the arrested military and police officers remanded,pending trial in a special section at Welikada prison called the Magazine Section. A special security detachment was selected called the composite guard to guard these officers from the Ceylon Light Infantry with Major A Hulangamuwa in Charge.In November 2012, 27 people died in clashes between inmates and prison guards.Core functions of the Welikada PrisonDetention of prisoners on first convictionCategorizing of convicted prisoners on admission and transferring them to relevant prisons.Detention of condemned prisoners.Production of suspects to Kesbewa and Moratuwa courtsProvision of vocational training to prisonersLaunching of welfare and rehabilitation programs for prisoners.
