Under the proposed reform program the government is planning to relocate the Welikada Prison in Colombo, Bogambara Prison in Kandy, Jaffna prison and the Magazine remand prison in Borella, within the next two years.

The government is planning on converting part of the Bogambara Prison in Kandy into a prison museum after the inmates are relocated to the Pallekele facility that is being completed this year.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister, Chandrasiri Gajadeera told media that the relocation of the Bogambara Prison, which is situated on a 13-acre piece of land in Kandy, is part of the government's plan to expand the prison network in the country and offer the inmates decent conditions under which to serve their jail terms.

The Minister said that the four-year relocation plan is to commence this year with the relocation of the Bogambara Prison to Pallekele. The Bogambara Prison is housed in a 100-year old outdated building.

The Minister explained that the first stage of construction work at the Pallekele facility has been completed, and the second stage has now commenced.

The government is also planning to shift the Welikada Prison in Colombo to the area in Watareka, Homagama where an open camp is currently located.

The Welikada Prison complex is located on 40 acres of prime land. It has been assessed at a minimum value of Rs. 15 billion.

The Mahara prison and the Watareka work camp will be expanded to accommodate the convicted, un-convicted and remand prisoners who are currently kept at the Welikada and Magazine prisons.

Gajadeera added that the prison camps in Galle and Matara are to be shifted to one area in Pitabeddara while the Tangalle Prison is to be relocated to Ranna.

The Jaffna Prison is to also be relocated with the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry looking at several locations for this purpose.