- CPRP claims preferential treatment sparked violence
- Urges inmates to be provided with life insurance
- Prisons Dept says situation is under control as probe continues
- HRCSL launches probe
Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera, President of the Committee for Protecting Prisoners' Rights (CPRP), claimed that unequal treatment of inmates was the underlying cause of the unrest that erupted at the Mahara Prison on 1 August.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (2), he alleged several inmates arrested over drug-related offences maintained close relationships with certain police officers and, as a result, received preferential treatment from prison officials. He claimed those inmates were provided with more drinking water than others, allocated better cells and granted special privileges.
"The remaining inmates protested against this discriminatory treatment. Although the protest later subsided, a group of inmates subsequently began threatening and harassing those who had taken part in the demonstration while enjoying the protection of prison officials. This situation has been developing over time and was further aggravated by the distress prevailing in prisons across the country," he said.
Highlighting the severe overcrowding at the prison, Perera said Mahara Prison was originally built to accommodate 991 inmates but currently houses 4,447 prisoners.
He further claimed that, according to reliable sources, the situation had escalated by around 1 p.m. on 1 August after prison officers allegedly left inmates unattended for nearly an hour while they behaved aggressively. "That amounts to a failure to perform their official duties," he alleged.
Perera also called for the introduction of a life insurance scheme for all prisoners, noting that recent incidents had demonstrated the dangers inmates faced. "Given the current situation, returning from prison alive has become a major challenge. Every prisoner should be covered by life insurance," he said.
However, Prison Commissioner Prasad Hemantha Kumara told The Daily Morning that no such information regarding the alleged cause of the unrest had been reported to the Prisons Department.
Meanwhile, the Prisons Department stated the unrest, which began on 1 August, had been fully brought under control by around 6.00 a.m. yesterday, through a joint operation involving the Department of Prisons, Sri Lanka Police, the Special Task Force and the Armed Forces.
One inmate was killed and six others were injured during the incident.
Prisons Department Media Spokesperson and Prisons Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake said an investigation had been launched into the incident, adding that inmates had caused extensive damage to prison property.
According to the Department, the unrest began when a group of inmates started throwing stones from inside the prison while relatives were visiting prisoners.
During the disturbance, a group of inmates allegedly attempted to escape after breaking through a temporary wall under construction within the prison compound.
Another group set fire to a prison building, while prison officers stationed near the main entrance opened fire in an attempt to contain the situation.
The Department also stated inmates involved in the unrest also assaulted fellow prisoners who had refused to join them, leaving six inmates injured. They were admitted to the Ragama Teaching Hospital, where one of them later succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased was identified as a 33-year-old resident of Hendala, Wattala, who had been remanded over charges of motorcycle theft and possession of 20 grams of Ice. As news of the unrest spread, relatives of inmates gathered outside the prison.
Police, riot control units, the Special Task Force, the Army and the Navy were deployed to strengthen security around the prison.
After hearing sounds resembling gunfire from inside the prison, angry relatives attempted to break through police barricades to enter the premises. The STF prevented the attempt, after which some members of the crowd hurled stones towards the prison.
The Sri Lanka Air Force also deployed a Bell 412 helicopter and a drone to monitor the situation from the air.
A police officer later addressed the relatives and explained the situation, following which they were persuaded to leave the prison entrance. However, tensions briefly flared again before the crowd was redirected to a nearby road.
Police also imposed a curfew on three Grama Niladhari divisions surrounding the Mahara Prison under the Ragama Police Division to maintain law and order. The curfew covered 246 Kendaliyadda Paluwa West, 246C Kendaliyadda Paluwa North and 181G Dambuwa.
The restrictions were lifted yesterday after authorities confirmed that the situation had stabilised.
The Prisons Department also stated 104 inmates had been transferred to the Dumbara, Welikada, Boossa, Kalutara, Badulla, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa prisons following the unrest. Mahara Prison Superintendent Rohana Galappaththi said the inmates transferred are suspected of being involved in the unrest that erupted at the prison. He also assured relatives that the safety of inmates currently housed at Mahara Prison had been secured and urged them not to panic.
A list containing the names of the transferred inmates has been displayed near the roadblock outside the Mahara Prison.
The Department further announced that inmate visitation at Mahara Prison would resume after today (3) and tomorrow (4), as repair work is currently underway within the prison.
Furthermore, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has launched a special investigation into the unrest that erupted at the Mahara Prison. The Commission stated that a three-member investigation team visited the prison yesterday and commenced inquiries into the incident.
Justice and National Integration Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara was not available for comment.