- One more inmate dies; bringing total to 27
- Female inmates continue protest
- Mastermind 'Katuwellegama Suresh' sent to Boossa
- Prison officers summoned for special meeting today
Twenty-seven people, including seven Prison officers, have died in the worst violence to hit the Negombo Prison in recent years after a second wave of clashes erupted inside the facility on Monday (6), prompting multiple investigations, a Cabinet-appointed inquiry, and the transfer of hundreds of inmates to prisons across the country.
Although authorities said the unrest had been brought under control by yesterday (7) with the deployment of Police, Special Task Force (STF) personnel and the Army, female inmates continued a protest inside the prison, according to Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake. Twenty critically injured victims have been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital, where several remain in critical condition, while another 58 injured persons are receiving treatment at the Negombo District General Hospital.
The violence began on 5 July when a clash broke out between inmates allegedly involved in drug trafficking and another group opposing the drug trade within the prison, leaving two inmates dead and 34 others injured. The unrest escalated again on Monday when prison officers attempting to restore order were reportedly attacked by inmates, resulting in more than 100 casualties. Police said the death toll has now risen to 27, comprising seven Prison officers and 20 inmates, after another injured inmate succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the Negombo Hospital.
The Negombo Chief Magistrate yesterday (7) ordered separate post-mortem examinations for each victim and directed Police to obtain statements from the families or legal custodians of the deceased before releasing the bodies. Chief Magistrate Thilini Chalani Perera also instructed investigators to submit a progress report on the ongoing inquiry into the incident.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) have launched investigations into the deadly clashes after obtaining a Court order. The investigations will examine the circumstances surrounding the violence inside the prison and identify those responsible.
The Cabinet of Ministers has meanwhile approved the appointment of a three-member committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The committee is chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Priyantha Fernando and includes retired Additional Solicitor General President's Counsel (PC) Milinda Gunathilaka and Mohan Weerakoon PC. It has been tasked with determining the causes of the violence, recommending legal and administrative action, and proposing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has also decided to conduct a special inquiry into the incident. Human Rights Commissioner Nimal G. Punchihewa said a team of HRCSL officials visited the prison on Monday to begin investigations but was unable to proceed due to the tense situation. The Commission is expected to commence its inquiry within the next few days.
As part of efforts to restore order, around 700 inmates have been transferred from the Negombo Prison to the Angunakolapelessa, Bogambara Open Prison in Pallekele, Dumbara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kuruwita Prisons.
The inmate identified as 'Katuwellegama Suresh', who is alleged to have orchestrated the unrest, has been transferred to the Boossa Prison. Suresh, who is alleged to be a close associate of organised crime figure 'Kehelbaddara Padme', is facing multiple charges, including offences related to narcotics trafficking, robbery and assault. He is also facing proceedings before the Negombo High Court while remaining in remand custody in another case before the Negombo Magistrate's Court.
According to the Prisons Department, the Negombo Prison houses more than 2,400 short-term prisoners and remand inmates, including 26 alleged organised crime gang members linked to various criminal groups.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, who visited both the prison and the Negombo Hospital following the unrest, accepted ministerial responsibility for the incident, stating that it had occurred within an institution under his purview.
He said the violence appeared to have been a clash between two organised inmate groups and that prison officers had intervened to restore order. He added that the apparent objective of those involved had been to disrupt prison operations.
Nanayakkara also revealed that the prison's closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera system and a body scanner were completely destroyed during the violence.
He stressed that although the unrest had been brought under control, the loss of life could not be justified and measures must be taken to ensure such an incident does not recur.
Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations on those killed were scheduled to be conducted yesterday, with relatives given an opportunity to identify the deceased. The Negombo Hospital displayed photographs of the victims to assist family members with the identification process.
Police said investigations into the incident are continuing while security remains heightened at the prison. Senior prison officers from across the country have been summoned for a special meeting today (8) following the violence, Justice Minister Nanayakkara told Parliament yesterday.