Mental Health Training for Maldives Prison Officers

The event, which brought together key figures from Sri Lanka and the Maldives, highlighted the growing emphasis on mental well-being within correctional institutions.

Chief Guests in attendance included:

🔹 Mr. Jagath Weerasinghe – Spokesperson, Sri Lankan Prison Department

🔹 Dr. Anusha Edirisinghe – Senior Lecturer in Sociology & Criminology, University of Kelaniya

🔹 Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed – Deputy Commissioner, Maldives Prison Department

🔹 Mr. Amila Nikapitiya – Sports Psychologist

🔹 Mrs. Tharu Pranavithana – Mental Health Advocate

The training program aimed to equip Maldivian prison officers with essential counseling skills and mental health awareness techniques, enabling them to better support both inmates and their fellow officers.

Organizers emphasized that this initiative is a vital part of creating safer, more humane, and psychologically supportive environments within correctional systems. The program also fostered cross-border collaboration in criminal justice reform and rehabilitation practices.

Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow professionally, while stakeholders affirmed their commitment to continued mental health development within the correctional framework.