• Commission continues site visits as investigation gathers pace

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is carrying out multiple site visits as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent clash at the Negombo Prison, with officials saying the inquiry continues to gather information on every aspect of the incident.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), HRCSL Commissioner / Member, attorney Nimal G Punchchihewa said that repeated visits to relevant locations are sometimes necessary to obtain all the required information before further action can be taken. "It is needed to supervise frequently. Still we are gathering information and it is after receiving that we can take the next steps," he said.

Responding to questions about reports that HRCSL officials were denied entry to the prison on the night of the incident on 7 July, Punchchihewa clarified that two Commission officials had been dispatched after information was received about the unfolding situation. "According to the information we received that something was going on, we sent two officials to the site. It might have been 9 p.m. by the time they got there. However, as the higher authorities had asked not to let anyone in due to the prevailing situation, they were denied entry. Yet the very next day itself, we wrote to the Commissioner General of Prisons," he said.

He added that the jailor on duty had since been summoned for an inquiry and that no further incidents involving restricted access had occurred.

The HRCSL launched its investigation on 7 July and has already issued several directions to the relevant authorities.

According to the Commission's latest update, the inquiry is examining three key areas: the violence at the Negombo Prison and the circumstances leading to it, the denial of access to HRCSL officials at Welikada Prison on the day of the incident, and allegations that inmates transferred to other prisons were subjected to torture. Punchchihewa said that the investigation has since been broadened further to include additional developments that followed the incident.