• 19  inmates, seven Prison officers killed in renewed violence
• Nearly 100 injured as security forces regain control
• Prisoners being transferred; SLAF drones monitor situation
• Cabinet appoints probe led by Justice Priyantha Fernando



 At least 26 people, including seven Prison officers and 19 inmates, were killed yesterday (6) after fresh violence erupted inside the Negombo Prison, just a day after an earlier clash had claimed two lives, bringing the death toll from two days of unrest to 27.

Nearly 100 people were injured and admitted to the Negombo General Hospital, with Hospital Director Dr Pushpa Gamlath confirming the fatalities. Eight of the seriously injured were later transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo for specialised treatment.

The renewed unrest broke out around 10:00 a.m. after inmates allegedly attempted to force their way through the Prison's main entrance following a confrontation between rival groups in the male ward.

According to Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesperson A C Gajanayake, the violence began while Prison officers were distributing breakfast to inmates. Officers who intervened to stop the fighting were allegedly attacked and chased towards the Prison's main entrance before some inmates attempted to breach the main gate, prompting officers to use the minimum force necessary to restore order.

Police, the Police Special Task Force (STF) and additional security personnel were deployed to contain the violence, while several gunshots were fired during the operation. Security forces later entered the Prison compound and succeeded in regaining control.

The Sri Lanka Air Force deployed two surveillance drones and a Bell 412 helicopter to monitor the situation from the air, while additional military personnel were stationed around the Prison to reinforce security.

Authorities have also begun transferring inmates to other prisons in an effort to reduce tensions and restore normalcy.

Outside the Prison, an estimated 2,500 relatives and loved ones gathered throughout the day demanding information on those killed and injured, saying they had received no official confirmation of the identities of the casualties.

The latest bloodshed followed a clash between remand prisoners and convicted inmates on 5 July, which left two inmates dead and 38 injured.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate the earlier violence was triggered by a dispute over the exposure of a drug trafficking operation within the Prison.

Investigators are also probing allegations that an inmate known as "Suresh", believed to have close links to organised crime figure "Booru Moona", orchestrated the clash between rival groups of inmates.

Following Sunday’s violence, female inmates staged a rooftop protest before a separate group of male inmates also climbed onto the roof in protest. Four inmates were later injured when part of the roof collapsed and were admitted to Hospital.

Relatives of inmates also protested outside the Prison, accusing authorities of failing to provide information about those inside. Police later facilitated visits by a group of relatives to inmates receiving treatment at the Negombo General Hospital.

Gajanayake said the latest violence was confined to the male section of the Prison and stemmed from clashes between rival groups linked to organised crime and drug-related activities. The female section was not directly involved in the fighting despite the separate protest by female inmates.

Appealing to relatives to remain calm, he said Prison authorities were taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of those in custody. He added that the Negombo Prison currently houses approximately 2,400 inmates.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet yesterday approved the appointment of a three-member committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the deadly incident.

The committee has been tasked with determining the causes of the violence, recommending action against those responsible and proposing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Priyantha Fernando will chair the committee, with retired Additional Solicitor General and President's Counsel Milinda Gunatilleke and President's Counsel Mohan Weerakoon serving as members.

Separately, the Prisons Commissioner General has appointed a special internal investigation team to inquire into Saturday's clash.

Police, the STF and riot control units remained deployed at the Prison last evening as investigations continued and authorities worked to restore normalcy.

With inputs from Aneesha Manage reporting from Negombo