Justice Ministry Summons Top Prison Officials After Deadly Negombo Clash

COLOMBO (News 1st): Senior officials from all prisons have been summoned to the Ministry of Justice today for a discussion.

The meeting will be held under the leadership of the Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.

Meanwhile, Prisons Media Spokesperson A. C. Gajanayake stated that the conflict situation that occurred at the Negombo Prison has now been brought under control.

He stated that the Police Special Task Force (STF) and the Army have been deployed outside the Negombo Prison for security.

In addition, the Prisons Media Spokesperson A. C. Gajanayake stated that security operations within the prison are being managed by prison officers.

The clash, which occurred between two groups involved in drug trafficking and organized crime at the Negombo Prison, resulted in the deaths of 26 people.

Among the deceased are 07 prison officers.

The Prisons Media Spokesperson further noted that post-mortem examinations of the deceased have been conducted, and the process of handing over the bodies to relatives has commenced.

More than 75 injured individuals are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.

Three teams from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have already commenced investigations into the incident.