Relatives who went berserk amidst the heat of the Negombo Prison clash

With this severe unrest inside the Negombo Prison, the environment outside the prison also took on a highly tense atmosphere. Upon hearing about the incident, over two thousand relatives gathered in front of the prison, weeping and behaving in a chaotic manner, searching for the well-being of their children and relatives.

Some distraught relatives attempted to break through security checkpoints and enter the prison, and security forces had to make great efforts to control the situation. Due to the highly volatile and dangerous atmosphere prevailing in the area around the prison, academic activities at Newstead Girls' College, located near the prison, were promptly concluded by 12:30 PM that day, and students were safely handed over to their parents by school authorities.

Mothers and fathers gathered at the prison gate tearfully revealed the immense suffering they were enduring to journalists. Mrs. Nandani, the mother of the inmate Gayan Sampath who died in the clash, stated that her son was brutally tortured and killed with sticks and pieces of metal sheets while he was in the food queue. She wept and pleaded for the life of her other son, who is still inside the prison, to be saved. Furthermore, Mrs. Sriyani, a resident of Minuwangoda, stated that her son, who was injured in the Mahara Prison clash in 2020, is currently detained in Negombo Prison, and she is utterly helpless as she cannot obtain any information about him. Relatives strongly accused the government and authorities regarding the killing of prisoners while they were in state custody.

Following this great tragedy, prison authorities took steps to immediately transfer 675 inmates from Negombo Prison to other prisons, including Pallansena and Dumbara, by bus, to ensure security and prevent a recurrence of such a situation. Meanwhile, the Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has approved the appointment of a special three-member committee to conduct a formal and comprehensive investigation into this violent incident and submit a report. Retired Supreme Court Justice Priyantha Fernando has been appointed as the chairman of this committee, with retired Additional Solicitor General, President's Counsel Milinda Gunathilaka, and President's Counsel Mohan Weerakoon as the other members. This committee is tasked with promptly submitting a report to the government, including the causes of the incident, the actions to be taken regarding it, and recommendations to prevent such disasters from recurring. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Western Province, Sajeeva Medawatta, also inspected the incident site, and a special police investigation is underway under the full supervision of Acting Inspector General of Police Sanjeeva Dharmaratne.