Ms. Disna Kariyawasam has been appointed as the first female Assistant Superintendent of the Sri Lanka Prisons Department, marking a historic milestone in the institution’s history.
Her appointment comes after nearly three decades of dedicated service, during which she demonstrated exceptional commitment, professional competence, leadership and dedication to public service.
Born in the Galle District of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, Kariyawasam joined the Prisons Department almost 30 years ago as a female prison guard. She later successfully passed the competitive departmental examination and was promoted to the post of Second Class Jailer.
In 2014, she was assigned to the Emergency and Intelligence Division of the Prisons Department as a Second Class Jailer. She subsequently passed the required departmental examinations in Tamil Language, Administration and Accounting, earning successive promotions to First Class Jailer and later Chief Jailer.
Throughout her career, Kariyawasam has served in several correctional institutions across the country, including Galle Prison, Matara Prison, the Welikada Women’s Wing, Badulla Prison, Welikada Prison, Mahara Prison and the Prisons Headquarters. These postings enabled her to strengthen her leadership, administrative and rehabilitation expertise while further enhancing her commitment to public service.
In addition to her extensive professional experience, Kariyawasam has pursued higher education to strengthen her expertise in corrections and rehabilitation. She holds a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Psychological Counselling from the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation from the University of Kelaniya, and a Diploma in Criminology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
These academic qualifications have further enhanced her knowledge in prison administration, offender rehabilitation, counselling and correctional management.
She secured the appointment after successfully passing the competitive interview held yesterday, becoming the first woman to serve as an Assistant Superintendent in the history of the Sri Lanka Prisons Department.
The appointment is regarded as a landmark achievement for the Department and recognises her years of dedication, professionalism and exemplary leadership.
Beyond her official duties, Kariyawasam is also an accomplished athlete. She has represented the Sri Lanka Prisons Department in Masters Athletics, Inter-Prison Athletics and Public Service Athletics competitions, winning numerous medals and bringing recognition to the Department through her sporting achievements.
