Negombo Prison is emptied - female inmates are also transferred to other prisons

Due to the recent violent situation at Negombo Prison, the Department of Prisons has taken steps to immediately transfer 73 female inmates held there to Wariyapola and Pallekele Prisons. Prison Media Spokesman A.C.

Gajanayake stated that under these transfers made last night, 33 inmates were sent to Wariyapola Prison and another 40 to Pallekele Prison. It is reported that among those transferred are 28 foreign national women.

This step has been taken considering the serious damage caused to prison property by the severe clash that occurred between drug traffickers and two organized crime gangs operating within Negombo Prison on the 5th and 6th of last month. Meanwhile, arrangements are continuously being made to systematically transfer male inmates from there to other locations, after assessing the available space and facilities in other prisons.

In light of this unrest, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has issued a special set of instructions to the Commissioner General of Prisons, in accordance with the powers vested in it by the Human Rights Commission Act No. 21 of 1996. It has been informed that Commission officials should be allowed unhindered access to any prison, and the safety of inmates' lives must be ensured to the maximum extent. Furthermore, the Commission has emphasized that all evidence related to the incident should be protected, an impartial and swift investigation into the allegations should be conducted, and full cooperation should be provided to ensure that no injustice is done to the inmates.