HIV-AIDS awareness campaign held in Trinco prison

[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 October 2004, 17:14 GMT]
Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) Sunday held HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for the inmates of Trincomalee prison as statistical data pointing to prison as potential environment for spreading of AIDs. A play prepared by the SLRC to educate prisoners was staged in the Trincomalee jail, sources said.

SLRC National Secretary Mr.S.H.Nimalkumar, National Secretariat Director ( HIV-AIDS) Mr.Prematilake, Dr.E.G.Gnanagunalan, Trincomalee district President of SLRC and executive officer Mr. Manivannan and Trincomalee Prison Chief Jailor Mr.Bandara participated in the event.

Dr.Gnanagunalan said three fresh HIV/AIDS cases had been detected in the Trincomalee district in 2003 in addition to earlier three cases detected in the year 2002.

Prisoners are liable to contract HIV-AIDS, as there was a possibility for them to engage in homosexual activity inside prisons. That's why the SLRC selected prisons in the country for HIV-AIDS awareness campaign, Dr.Gnanagunalan said.




Prisoners participating in the awareness campaign

(L-R) Dr.Gnanagunalan, Mr.Premathilake (SLRC Director-HIV/AIDS) and Youth Co-ordinator Mr.Chandrakumar in Trinco prison

A play on danger of HIV-AIDS staged by SLRC in Trincomalee prison