Authorities have brought the unrest at Negombo Prison under control following the violent clashes, with a heavy deployment of Police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel continuing to maintain security at the facility.
Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake, who inspected the prison last night (06), said that while the overall situation has been stabilised, a group of female inmates continues to stage a protest inside the prison.
Health authorities confirmed that 20 critically injured individuals have been transferred to the National Hospital of Colombo for specialised treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition. Another 58 injured persons are receiving treatment at the Negombo General Hospital.
The violence is reported to have begun on July 5 following a confrontation between a group of inmates allegedly involved in drug trafficking and another group opposing drug-related activities inside the prison. That initial clash resulted in two inmate deaths and injuries to 34 others.
A second wave of violence erupted yesterday when prison officers attempted to restore order and were allegedly attacked by inmates. Reports indicate that more than 100 inmates and prison officers were injured during the unrest, while seven prison officers and 17 inmates lost their lives.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) have launched separate investigations after the matter was reported to the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, according to the Police Media Division.
As part of heightened security measures, the Department of Prisons has transferred around 700 inmates to the Agunakolapelessa, Dumbara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kuruwita prisons.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a three-member committee to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
The committee will be chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Priyantha Fernando, with retired Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Milinda Gunathilaka and President’s Counsel Mohan Weerakoon serving as members.
The committee has been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the prison violence, identify its root causes, recommend appropriate action, and propose measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Post-mortem examinations of those who died in the clashes are scheduled to be carried out today. Authorities have also allowed family members to identify the deceased, with photographs displayed at the Negombo Hospital to assist the identification process.
