Latest update on the Negombo prison conflict

Following the clash at Negombo Prison, which claimed the lives of 29 people, only 24 post-mortem examination reports have been completed and submitted to court under seal.

These reports relate to deceased prison officers and inmates whose post-mortem examinations were conducted by a five-member Judicial Medical Board at Negombo General Hospital.

Acting on the instructions of the Chief Inspector of Police of the Negombo Headquarters, Thilina Damsith Hettiarachchi, Sergeant Bandara submitted the 24 sealed post-mortem reports to the court.

The Chief Magistrate, Shilani Perera, also ordered the Negombo Headquarters Police to hand over the sealed post-mortem reports to the relatives of the deceased.

An investigation into the incident at the Negombo prison will be taken over by the Criminal Investigation Department, following a request made to Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera for permission.

Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera granted permission today and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to conduct further investigations into the incident and report the facts to the court.

The Criminal Investigation Department officers informed the court that the ongoing investigation into the incident will be taken over under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The officers stated that the investigations are being conducted regarding the murder of 29 individuals and causing mischief of nearly 120 million rupees to prison property.

It is reported that the inmates who behaved violently issued death threats to the prison officer who opened fire to prevent them from breaking through the gate and escaping during the clash at the Negombo Prison.

The threats included statements such as, "If we catch you, we will kill you. Don't ever cross our paths outside, we will kill you."

It is also reported that on the day of the incident, he had reported for duty during this emergency situation while still undergoing treatment for dengue sickness.

Meanwhile, it is stated that the Department of Prisons has currently taken the necessary measures to ensure his safety.

Post-mortem examinations have revealed that the prison officers who died in the recent violent clash at the Negombo Prison were assaulted in an extremely inhumane manner. According to the autopsy reports, it has been disclosed that the officers died due to severe head injuries.

A five-member forensic medical team conducted post-mortem examinations on 24 individuals, including prison officers and inmates, who died during the violent incident that occurred at the Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6. Accordingly, the autopsies revealed that 14 deaths were caused by gunshot wounds, while another 9 deaths resulted from assaults. An open verdict has been delivered regarding one death.

Facts regarding the death of the prison guard, who passed away while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, were also reported to the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court today (09), and the hearing of evidence related to that inquest has been concluded.

Out of the 28 bodies deposited at the Negombo Hospital, autopsies on 24 individuals have been completed and the bodies have been handed over to their relatives. Post-mortem examinations regarding the remaining four bodies are currently underway. It is reported that an Indian national is also among this group.

A five-member forensic medical team, chaired by Dr. Sujeewa Wickramanayake, has been appointed to conduct the post-mortem examinations related to this incident. The team includes Dr. Prasanna Appuhamy, Dr. Samantha Wijeratne, Dr. Saminda Rajapaksa, and Dr. Ramesh Aggiyawanna.

Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate of Negombo, Ms. Shilani Perera, had ordered on the 7th to conduct post-mortem examinations on the eight prison officers and 21 inmates who died, and to submit the reports to the court. Additionally, the police have been ordered to present a detailed report on the incident to the court.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration stated in a announcement that the prison administration has decided it is no longer appropriate to detain inmates at the Negombo Prison, as the facility is considered a crime scene following the incident.

Prison authorities further stated that the prison premises sustained severe damage due to the violent incident, and the final assessment report on the damage has not yet been prepared.

The Police were ready to control the unrest at the Negombo Prison, but the Department of Prisons requested police assistance to control the situation only after the clash that broke out on Monday (6th) morning, says the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Crimes Range, Mr. Chandana Kodituwakku.

The DIG stated this yesterday (8th) while participating in a program broadcast on the Derana television channel.

Expressing his views further, the DIG stated:

"The Police had gone and deployed in front of the Negombo Prison, remaining prepared. We were ready in case any need arose. However, we do not enter the prison premises without being requested by the prison authorities. It is not a matter of being unable to go; we simply do not enter without an invitation. The Commissioner of Prisons had forwarded a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) stating that such an incident had occurred on the 5th. However, this letter was written only on the 6th. Even on the 6th, it was written after the morning incident. It requested the assistance of the Police and the Police Special Task Force (STF). It was only after that we entered to provide assistance. Accordingly, as the Sri Lanka Police, we have fulfilled our responsibility and duty."

The prison administration has decided that it is no longer suitable to keep inmates at the Negombo Prison premises following the unrest that occurred within the facility on July 5 and 6.

In a statement, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration said the Negombo Prison facility is being treated as a crime scene following the incident.

The prison complex has suffered extensive damage as a result of the violent incident.

Accordingly, authorities have temporarily transferred a large number of inmates held at the facility to other prison premises to allow investigators to conduct their work safely, ensure inmate security and facilitate the rapid commencement of reconstruction activities once investigations are completed.

The Justice Ministry said the decision was also made due to overcrowding in existing prisons and concerns regarding inmate welfare. As a result, arrangements have been made to relocate a number of inmates to other suitable facilities on a temporary basis.

The Ministry further stated that orders have been issued to designate the Mahamodara and Old Bogambara prison premises as temporary prisons under the provisions of the Prisons Ordinance until reconstruction work at the Negombo Prison is completed.

Police state that an Indian national has died during a clash that broke out at the Negombo Prison.

The Police Media Division stated that a 73-year-old Indian national had lost his life due to the unrest at the Negombo Prison.

The Police Media Division further mentioned that reporting the information regarding his death was delayed because it took some time to confirm the identity of the deceased.

According to the police, the deceased Indian national had been imprisoned on charges of smuggling 1 kg 908 g of Kush cannabis into the country by air and for possession of the same in the year 2025.

A group of female inmates previously held at the Negombo Prison has been transferred to other correctional facilities, according to the Department of Prisons.

The Department stated that the inmates were transferred yesterday (08) to Wariyapola and Bogambara prisons. The group reportedly included several foreign female inmates who had also been detained at the Negombo Prison.

The transfers follow the unrest at the Negombo Prison earlier this week, during which a group of female inmates staged a protest. However, the protest has since ended, and the inmates are now being relocated to other prisons in a phased and orderly manner, Prisons Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said.

Meanwhile, arrangements are continuing to transfer male inmates from the Negombo Prison to other facilities. The Department of Prisons said the relocations are being carried out after reviewing available facilities and capacity at other prisons.

Reports indicate that approximately 1,000 inmates remain at Negombo Prison.

In a related development, police have launched investigations into the deaths of three inmates at the Agunukolapelessa, Boossa and Welikada prisons.

The Police Media Division said the investigations are being conducted by police stations responsible for the areas where the prisons are located.

Two inmates who had recently been transferred from the Negombo Prison to Agunukolapelessa Prison and Boossa Prison died after being admitted to hospitals following sudden health complications.

Another inmate at the Welikada Prison was reported to have died by suicide.

Police said the relevant stations have been informed of the deaths and investigations are underway into the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

An Indian national was among the inmates killed in clashes with the Negombo Prison on Monday (06), with the victim identified as a 73-year-old male.

The death toll from the clash rose to 28 with one more prison officer succumbing to serious injuries yesterday. Over 100 people were injured in the violence.

Meanwhile, the High Commission of India in Colombo has not yet issued an official statement on the death of the Indian national.

Another prison officer who sustained injuries during the clash at Negombo Prison has succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.

Opposition members of Parliament staged a protest by wearing black armbands at the commencement of the parliamentary session this morning (08).

The protest was held to demand that the government accept responsibility for the deaths of 27 people following the recent clash at the Negombo Prison, according to opposition MPs.

The MPs entered Parliament wearing black bands in a show of protest over the incident.

A total of 27 individuals including seven prison officers died in the clashes while over 100 sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, the government appointed a Committee of Inquiry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the unrest at the Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6 and report on the circumstances that led to the incident.

The committee was appointed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The three-member committee is chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Priyantha Fernando. Its members include, Additional Solicitor General and President's Counsel Milinda Gunatilake and President's Counsel Mohan Weerakoon.

Senior Assistant Secretary to the President K.L.D. Asela has been appointed Secretary and Convener of the Committee of Inquiry, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

An inmate who was transferred to the Agunukolapelessa Prison following the unrest that broke out at the Negombo Prison has passed away.

Meanwhile, another inmate who had been transferred to the Boossa Prison died due to a sudden illness after being admitted to the Galle National Hospital.

Prisons Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said the inmate passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital.

A total of 1,033 inmates held at the Negombo Prison were transferred to other prisons following Monday's violence.

Among those transferred was Katuwellegama Suresh, who is alleged to have played a leading role in the unrest, and he has been moved to the Boossa Prison.

The prison clash resulted in 27 deaths, including seven officers attached to the Prison Special Tactical Unit.

An inmate who was transferred to the Boossa Prison following the unrest at the Negombo Prison has died after being admitted to the Galle National Hospital due to a sudden illness.

Prisons Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said the inmate passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, senior officers from all prisons across the country have been summoned for a special meeting scheduled for 7:30 a.m. today (08).

Meanwhile, addressing Parliament on the situation at the Negombo Prison, the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara said discussions would focus on the clash at the facility and the steps required to prevent similar incidents at other prisons.

A total of 1,033 inmates held at the Negombo Prison have since been transferred to other prisons.

Among those transferred was Katuwellegama Suresh, who is alleged to have played a leading role in the unrest, and he has been moved to the Boossa Prison.

The prison clash resulted in 27 deaths, including seven officers attached to the Prison Special Tactical Unit.

A total of 20 inmates were killed in the incident, while nearly 100 others were injured. Hospital sources said 20 of the injured remain in critical condition.

Security authorities have uncovered several key details regarding the unrest at Negombo Prison. Prison sources said some inmates involved in the clash had thrown large rocks at the heads of certain prison officers during the incident.

Justice Minister, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, stated that he is deeply shocked and saddened by the clash that occurred at the Negombo Prison.

Speaking to the media on Monday (July 6) evening, the Minister noted that since such a conflict erupted within an institution under his purview, he must accept responsibility for it.

However, stating that the situation has now been brought under control, the Minister emphasized that the loss of any human life cannot be condoned and that measures must be taken to prevent such situations in the future.

The Justice Minister also mentioned that the clash was between two underworld gangs and stated that the officials did their utmost to resolve the conflict.