A total of 2,327 rounds of ammunition used for various firearms at nine prison institutions have been identified as unusable, but proper action had not been taken regarding the ammunition, according to the latest report issued by the National Audit Office.
The unusable live ammunition was found at the Angunakolapelessa, Boossa, Bogambara, Kalutara, Anuradhapura, Colombo Magazine, Monaragala, Wataraka and Wariyapola prisons, according to the report.
The audit report also states that 191 firearms at nine prison institutions were in need of repair.
Meanwhile, information obtained from 27 prison institutions revealed that 1,038 security equipment items and weapons were unusable, resulting in shortages of such equipment at the institutions, the National Audit Office said.
The report further states that 62 firearms, 50 magazines and 1,278 rounds of ammunition from nine prison institutions had been handed over to courts and police stations for investigations. Although between three and 31 years had passed since they were handed over, they had not been properly recovered as of April this year.
The report noted that this situation had created difficulties for prison officers in dealing with riot situations. It had also affected court duties, special hospital duties and security operations.
These findings are contained in the audit report included in the Department of Prisons’ 2025 Annual Report.
