Special Probe Into Sri Lanka's Deadliest Prison Violence

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's apex investigation body, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) have launched a joint investigation into the deadly confrontation between two rival gangs linked to drug trafficking and organised crime inside the Negombo Prison, police said.

Acting Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Chandana Herath stated that facts relating to the incident had been reported to the Negombo Magistrate's Court and permission had been obtained to proceed with the investigations.

A team of CID officers has already arrived at the Negombo Prison to commence inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the violence.

Meanwhile, Special Task Force personnel and police officers remained deployed around the prison premises this morning as part of an extensive security operation.

Prisons Department Spokesman A.C. Gajanayake said the situation inside the prison has now been brought completely under control and security within the facility has been significantly strengthened.

Since yesterday afternoon, nearly 700 inmates have been transferred from Negombo Prison to other correctional facilities across the country as authorities seek to restore normalcy following the violence.

Negombo Prison was housing nearly 2,400 inmates at the time of the incident. Following the transfers, officials said only a limited number of inmates, including female prisoners, remain within the facility.

Relatives of inmates continued to gather near the prison premises this morning amid growing concern over the fate and whereabouts of prisoners affected by the violence.

The death toll from the clash between the two rival groups involved in narcotics trafficking and organised criminal activities has risen to 26.

According to A.C. Gajanayake, the deceased include seven prison officers and 19 inmates.

More than 100 injured individuals continue to receive treatment at the National Hospital of Colombo, the Ragama Teaching Hospital and the Negombo District General Hospital.

Relatives of inmates were also seen gathering outside the Negombo District General Hospital this morning seeking information about those injured in the violence.

Director of the Negombo District General Hospital, Dr. Pushpa Gamlathge, said 18 critically injured individuals had been transferred to the National Hospital of Colombo for specialised treatment, while several others continue to receive medical care in Negombo.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara visited the Negombo District General Hospital yesterday evening to inquire into the condition of prison officers injured during the incident.

During the visit, the Minister held discussions with doctors and hospital staff regarding the treatment being provided to the injured officers and the facilities required for their continued care.

Authorities said 23 prison officers injured in the clashes are currently receiving treatment at the Negombo District General Hospital and the National Hospital of Colombo, while 54 inmates also remain hospitalised.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday decided to appoint a committee to conduct a formal and comprehensive investigation into the violent incident at Negombo Prison.

The committee has been tasked with identifying the causes of the violence, recommending action against those responsible and proposing measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future.

The committee is expected to conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into all aspects of the incident and submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Government.

The Prisons Department further stated that extensive damage had been caused to prison property and infrastructure as a result of the violent clashes that unfolded over the past two days.

Minister Accepts Responsibility:

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday (7) publicly accepted responsibility for the deadly violence at Negombo Prison, stating that the incident occurred within an institution under his ministry and that he therefore could not evade accountability.

Addressing the tragedy, the Minister said the responsibility ultimately rested with him as the head of the ministry overseeing the prison system.

"The initial clash appears to have broken out on Sunday (6) night between two groups linked to the underworld and the narcotics trade," he said.

He explained that the situation escalated again the following morning after inmates had been served breakfast and arrangements were being made to produce them before court.

Nanayakkara said prison officials had intervened in an attempt to prevent further violence and had acted with restraint under difficult circumstances.

The Minister stressed that while such incidents could occur in high-risk environments, they could never be accepted or justified, particularly given the heavy loss of life.

"Let us be clear - incidents of this nature can happen, but that does not mean they can be justified or treated lightly. Human lives have been lost," he said.

He also clarified that the violence was not initially directed at prison staff, but rather originated from a conflict between rival inmate groups.

However, the Minister acknowledged that several critical questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding how prison officers sustained gunshot injuries and how weapons found their way into the prison environment.

Nanayakkara emphasized that the Government has a duty to ensure the safety of both inmates and prison officers and pledged that a comprehensive investigation would seek answers to the troubling questions raised by the incident.