Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara issued a stern warning to prison officials, emphasizing, “Prisoners are humans too,” after witnessing 40 detainees shackled together with a single chain and brought into the courtroom. The Magistrate criticized the inhumane treatment and instructed prison officers to refrain from treating prisoners like animals.
The incident occurred during the judicial vacation when cases under Court No. 03 of the Colombo Magistrate’s Court were being heard. Due to limited space in the prison holding area, officials resorted to chaining all 40 detainees together before presenting them in court.
After the Magistrate’s firm rebuke, prison officials apologized and, following his orders, promptly removed the shackles from the detainees in the courtroom.
