Govt. to release children currently with mothers in prison

COLOMBO (News1st): Steps will be taken to release 46 children currently with their mothers who have been imprisoned, the Prime Minister's office has said. "46 newborns or children who were born while their mothers were in prison, and below the age of five, have been kept with their mothers on court orders," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's office noted. It added that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had drawn his attention towards this matter following a report published by a national newspaper in this regard. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, State Minister of Prison Reforms & Prisoners' Rehabilitation, had said the relevant information is being gathered on this matter. "She had said that the Prime Minister would be informed of the legal background and the steps that could be taken to release the children," the statement added. Prisons chief Thushara Upuldeniya had said that the mothers of most children have been remanded.