- One more Prison officer dies
- Over 1,000 inmates transferred; 2 die post-transfer
The bodies of the Prison officers killed during Monday's violence at the Negombo Prison were brought to the Welikada Prison yesterday (8) in a funeral procession. Following final rites and tributes, their remains were handed over to their families.
Meanwhile, another Prison officer who was injured in the clashes earlier this week succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, authorities said.
The latest death has raised the toll from the 5 and 6 July prison violence to 28 – comprising eight Prison officers and 20 inmates. More than 100 others were injured and admitted to hospitals, with hospital sources saying that 20 remain in critical condition.
Seven officers attached to the Prison Special Tactical Unit were killed during Monday's unrest after allegedly being attacked by inmates. The violence erupted after Prison authorities began distributing food and refreshments following the restoration of order after the initial unrest on 5 July.
According to Prison sources, a clash broke out among inmates during the distribution. A Prison officer who intervened was attacked with stones and other objects. The Chief Jailor, who had recently been appointed to the Pallansena Prison and was assisting efforts to restore order, was also assaulted before fellow officers rescued him. Officers from the Prison Emergency Assault Tactical Force who entered the area were then subjected to severe attacks. Prison sources alleged that some inmates hurled large stones at officers, with several sustaining fatal head injuries.
Meanwhile, an inmate transferred to the Angunakolapelessa Prison following the unrest has also died. Another inmate transferred to the Boossa Prison died after falling ill and being admitted to the Galle National Hospital, according to Prisons Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake.
Post-mortem examinations of those who died in the clashes commenced on Tuesday.
A calm situation prevailed at the Negombo Prison yesterday, although heavy security remained in place.
Relatives of inmates again gathered outside the Prison seeking information about family members. Authorities displayed a list of inmates transferred to other prisons, but some relatives became agitated after failing to obtain information about certain inmates.
A total of 1,033 inmates have been transferred from the Negombo Prison following Monday's violence. Authorities are also considering relocating all remaining inmates while investigations continue into the deaths.
However, forensic officials and court officers have reportedly not yet entered the Prison due to ongoing security concerns.
The Negombo Police submitted an initial report to the Negombo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, after which investigations were handed over to the Colombo Crime Division and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). CID officers informed the Court that they had assumed responsibility for the inquiry and recorded statements from witnesses. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Asanka Karawita, who heads the CID, also visited the Prison on Tuesday to supervise the investigations.
Meanwhile, Opposition MPs wore black armbands in Parliament yesterday in protest, demanding that the Government accept responsibility for the deaths resulting from the prison violence.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) also expressed concern over the incident, condemning all forms of violence and warning that violence within detention facilities undermines the rule of law, erodes public confidence in the justice system and endangers inmates, Prison officers and correctional staff.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has meanwhile written to the Prisons Commissioner General (Covering Up Duties) regarding its investigation into the violence and subsequent events at other prisons.
The Commission said it received information on Tuesday evening that inmates transferred to Angunakolapelessa, Boossa, Batticaloa, Dumbara, Jaffna and Welikada prisons had allegedly been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment. It also received information regarding the death of an inmate while in the custody of Welikada Prison officials.
A Rapid Response Unit team from the HRCSL visited the Welikada Prison at about 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday to inquire into the welfare of inmates. However, the Commission said the Chief Jailer denied the team access, citing that it was after official visiting hours.
The HRCSL noted that it is legally empowered to enter any prison at any time to inspect detention conditions and expressed concern over the denial of access.
The Commission directed the Prisons Commissioner General to issue written instructions to all prison officials to grant HRCSL officers unrestricted access to prisons at any time, refrain from torture, ill-treatment or reprisals against inmates – including those recently transferred from the Negombo Prison – and ensure their protection while in custody.
The HRCSL also urged prison authorities to fully cooperate with its investigation into the Negombo Prison violence and subsequent incidents reported at other prison facilities.
PHOTOS Krishan Kariyawasam