Negombo Prison Riot: Weapons, Clubs and Improvised Arms Handed to Court

COLOMBO (News 1st); The weapons, clubs and improvised wooden poles allegedly used by inmates during the recent clash inside Negombo Prison were handed over to the Negombo Magistrate's Court by police officers.

Police said the Criminal Investigation Department has recorded statements from more than 150 individuals, including inmates, in connection with the incident.

Court proceedings involving inmates of the Negombo Prison will be conducted online from today.

Under the new arrangement, prison authorities will submit a list of suspects scheduled to appear before court, following which legal proceedings will be conducted after confirming that the inmates remain in prison custody.

A total of 2,400 inmates had been held at Negombo Prison before the recent violence.

Following the clash, inmates were transferred to other prisons across the country.

The Department of Prisons stated that only around 600 inmates currently remain at Negombo Prison.

Those inmates are also expected to be transferred to other prisons in the future.

The Department further stated that relatives are currently not being permitted to visit the remaining inmates.

The recent clash between drug traffickers and organized crime figures inside Negombo Prison resulted in the deaths of eight prison officers and 21 inmates, while nearly 100 others sustained injuries.