Negombo Prison Riots : Autopsy Reports Reveal How 28 Victims Died

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Negombo Magistrate's Court has heard that 17 of the 28 deaths linked to the incident inside Negombo Prison were caused by gunshot injuries, while 11 others died as a result of assaults involving blunt weapons.

Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera disclosed the findings in open court while announcing the results of 28 post-mortem examination reports submitted by the Negombo Judicial Medical Officer.

After the findings of all 28 post-mortem examinations were presented before the court, the Magistrate emphasized that the court does not distinguish between officers and inmates and that justice would be administered equally to all parties.

The Magistrate further observed that the court had identified indications that a criminal offence may have been committed and accordingly directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a full investigation into the incident and report its findings to the court.

Meanwhile, the Commercial Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department, which is investigating the deaths of 10 Rapid Strike Force personnel and 21 inmates inside Negombo Prison, submitted a further progress report before the Negombo Magistrate's Court.

Presenting facts before court, Sub-Inspector Madhuranga of the CID's Commercial Crimes Division stated that statements had so far been recorded from 969 individuals in connection with the investigation.

These include 200 prison officers, 563 inmates, 130 Police Special Task Force personnel, 11 police officers and 65 civilians.

The investigating officer further informed court that aliases used by 40 suspects had been identified during the course of the investigation.

He also stated that the Attorney General is expected to make submissions before court on behalf of the Attorney General's Department at a future hearing.

The court was also informed that officers attached to the Commercial Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department, including Assistant Police Inspector Kaluarachchi, had made further submissions regarding the incident that occurred within Negombo Prison on the 5th and 6th in a continuing effort to advance the investigation.