Negombo Prison officer deaths rise to 10

Police Headquarters states that two prison officers who were receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital for serious injuries sustained during the severe unrest at Negombo Prison, passed away yesterday (13) and early this morning (14). With the demise of these two officers, aged 25 and 39, the total number of prison officers who died in the relevant conflict has risen to 10.

Due to these confrontational incidents that occurred inside the prison on July 5 and 6, 21 inmates have also died, bringing the total number of reported fatalities to 31. Several other prison officers and inmates injured in this incident are still receiving inpatient medical treatment at the Colombo National Hospital and Negombo General Hospital.

Meanwhile, a special memorial sermon (Dharma Deshana) was held yesterday (13th) morning at the Ministry of Justice and National Integration to commemorate the officers and inmates who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident at Negombo Prison and to bestow merit upon them. The religious program, conducted with the presence of Venerable Migoda Sukhitha Thero, was attended by Ms. Ayesha Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration and President's Counsel, Mr. Prasad Hemantha Kumara, Acting Commissioner General of Prisons, and many other high-ranking officials from both the Ministry and the Department of Prisons.

Furthermore, the Prison Superintendent's office reveals that an inmate, who had been transferred from Negombo Prison to Boossa Prison as a precautionary measure, attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in a toilet near his cell on the evening of the day before yesterday (12th). This 31-year-old inmate, a resident of Kirimatiyana Estate, Lunuwila, was among those brought from Negombo to Boossa Prison on the 6th. When he attempted to hang himself, other inmates present immediately intervened and successfully saved him.

In the recent severe violent clash between two groups of inmates within Negombo Prison, 29 people, including prison officers, died initially, and over 100 others were injured. Following this incident, a large number of inmates were transferred to other prisons for security reasons. When presenting them to the relevant courts for trials, prison authorities faced significant transportation and logistical challenges. Accordingly, the Department of Prisons has taken steps to conduct the court proceedings for inmates transferred from Negombo Prison to other prisons online via Zoom technology, as directed by the respective courts.

Prison Media Spokesperson and Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake stated that requests have been made to the relevant courts to organize these trials online, and the department is ready to act upon the orders received. Additionally, nearly 600 inmates are still remaining at Negombo Prison, and officials are making arrangements to promptly transfer them to other prison facilities.