Moragoda speaks on need for reforms at 101st AGM of Prisoners Welfare Association

The Prisoners Welfare Association held its 101st Annual General Meeting recently. The association is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest voluntary charity organisations and is comprised of both volunteers and prison rehabilitation officials who represent 32 prison communities throughout the island. 

It was originally set up during the colonial period as an independent partnership between the Government/prison authorities and civil society to address the welfare needs of prisoners and their families.

The current serving Chairman of the Association, Milinda Moragoda, was reappointed as Chairman at the meeting. In his acceptance address Moragoda strongly endorsed and paid tribute to the spirit of volunteerism, commitment, and sacrifice that has been demonstrated by the membership of the association over the years. 

However, he also pointed out that in his view the Prisoner Welfare Association’s mindset had not evolved from the thinking that existed since colonial times, and that in fact, while the United Kingdom had evolved their thinking and revised their philosophy behind prison welfare and rehabilitation, Sri Lanka was still hanging on to outdated concepts. 

Moragoda reiterated that when he took over the chairmanship a year ago, he had seen his role as transitional. He said that it was his wish to found a new institutional practice of limiting the term of the Chairman. With this in mind, he said he would prioritise and focus on developing a second tier of leadership in the coming period, as well as on bringing in younger leaders so that a smooth succession and continuity of the organisation could be assured. 

He also observed that traditionally many Sri Lankan institutions tend to have leaders who hang on to office and monopolise their positions for self-aggrandisement to the detriment of the very institutions and people they are supposed to be serving. 

He lastly stressed upon the need for discipline within the organisation and the need for an ongoing performance appraisal of its activities, regular attendance at meetings, reporting and feedback. At the meeting the membership approved several plans and measures aimed at achieving these objectives. 

Venerable Professor Kotupitiye Rahula Thero, Secretary General of the Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabawa delivered the principal sermon at this event.