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Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre

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Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre
Former namesKandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre
General information
TypeRehabilitation center
Town or cityWelikanda, Polonnaruwa
CountrySri Lanka
Other information
Facilitiesmedical tools, Wi-Fi communication

Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre previously known as the Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre is a rehabilitation center located in the Welikanda, Polonnaruwa District, North Central Province in Sri Lanka. It is currently operated by the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Justice. The rehabilitation centre is currently used to treat drug addicts and COVID-19 patients along with Senapura Rehabilitation Center.[1] The centre was transformed into a Drug Rehabilitation Centre in 2014 to treat drug addicted persons by giving counselling, vocational education and training.[2]

In March 2020, the rehabilitation centre was proposed by the Government of Sri Lanka as one of the major quarantine centres to conduct PCR tests for passengers and tourists from foreign countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The Sri Lankan government made compulsory guidelines for passengers from foreign passengers to undergo a 14-day mandatory self quarantine at the centre.[4] The Sri Lankan Army in collaboration with the Ministry of Health upgraded the facilities of the centre by setting up necessary medical tools, Wifi communication tools, thermometers, laundry and entertainment facilities for the patients.[5]

In July 2020, the centre became a new epicentre of COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka recording over 300 cases in the month of July.[6] On 9 July 2020, Sri Lankan Army converted a quarantine centre into a COVID-19 hospital which is close to the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre.[7]

COVID-19 cluster

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On 7 July, a new case was recorded from Welikada Prison, where an inmate had been transferred from the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in East Kandakadu for those addicted to drugs and controlled substances, to the prison on 27 June.[8][9][10] On 9 July 2020, a record tally of 253 inmates at Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre were tested positive for COVID-19.[11][12] On 10 July 2020, a total of 283 people from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre were tested positive for COVID-19. The centre emerged as a new COVID-19 cluster in the country.[13][14][15]

Frequent Clashes & Controversies

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The military's key involvement at the center has often be a topic of controversy amongst human rights activists.[16] Several clashes and inmate breakouts were reported in the recent past. Including the 2022 November clashes [17] the December 2023 escape [18] and the January 2024 clash and breakout.

References

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  1. ^ Nathaniel, Camelia. "Kicking the deadly drug habit". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
  2. ^ "dec_detail". www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  3. ^ "Sri Lanka : Two quarantine centers in the East for visitors to Sri Lanka from COVID-19 hot spots". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  4. ^ Francisco, Dinuli. "Mandatory quarantine process starts today". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  5. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka security forces prepare quarantine facilities for expatriates and foreigners". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  6. ^ "Coronavirus cases in Kandakadu on the rise". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  7. ^ Nathaniel, Camelia. "Kandakadu Centre to become COVID hospital". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  8. ^ "How a Prison inmate became infected with COVID 19 is still a mystery – officials". EconomyNext. 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-07-12.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "Another Welikada Prison inmate tests positive for Covid-19". Ada Derana. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  10. ^ "Welikada Inmate tests positive for COVID-19". News First. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  11. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 9 July 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  12. ^ "56 inmates & counsellor at Kandakadu Rehab Centre tested positive for COVID-19". News First. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  13. ^ "Steps taken to prevent spread of COVID-19 to communities; Army Commander". News First. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  14. ^ "Sri Lanka finds 300 Coronavirus cases as Kandakadu cluster expands, over 1000 to be tested". Economy Next. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  15. ^ "Sri Lanka may find more COVID 19 cases at virus struck rehabilitation centre – Army Chief". Economy Next. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  16. ^ "Military therapy not deemed right for drug addicts".
  17. ^ "President calls for full report on Kandakadu violence". 7 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Seventy-five inmates escape after clash between two groups". 11 December 2023.


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