A large number of pieces of evidence are currently being uncovered, confirming that the recent brutal clash within the Negombo Prison was not accidental, but rather the result of a meticulously planned conspiracy over a long period. Information reveals that this barbaric riot, which ended with the loss of seven prison officers and twenty-one inmates, was carried out under the direct guidance of drug trafficking operations and underworld gangs operating from abroad.
One of the main pieces of evidence raising suspicion about the prior preparation behind this entire incident is that the rioters specifically targeted and attacked the prison's security systems.Specifically, inmates deliberately destroyed the modern body scanner machines installed to prevent the entry of prohibited substances, clearly aiming to remove security barriers. Furthermore, they dismantled the CCTV camera system installed in the prison and completely destroyed the video recording devices, all according to a pre-plan to leave no evidence of their crimes. Investigating officers also believe that the destruction of these technical tools was by no means accidental.
Intelligence agencies suspect that this large-scale clash was orchestrated by underworld gang leaders named 'Doom' and 'Ada,' who are hiding in Dubai. The inmate Katuvellagoda Suresh, who orchestrated drug trafficking from within the prison, has been identified as a key planner of this attack. He is a close associate of 'Buru Muna,' a well-known underworld leader currently abroad, and was previously involved in the incident of his rescue at the airport. It is revealed that several inmates, supported by rival groups, had provided information to officers about the drug trafficking operation that had been ongoing in the prison for a long time, and the trafficking gang had been planning this attack for some time to retaliate against these informants.
The immediate use of deadly weapons such as iron rods and stone blocks, which the inmates had hidden, at the very beginning of the attack, clearly demonstrates the prior preparation involved. The fact that the two inmates who died at the initial stage of the clash were informants who had provided information to officers is not a random occurrence; they were specifically targeted in this attack. However, how the traffickers knew who secretly provided information within the prison raises serious questions about the integrity and confidentiality of the prison system.
Furthermore, it has been revealed how inmates systematically trapped officers. After controlling the initial clash on July 5th, about fifty inmates made a humanitarian request to Prison Superintendent Mr. Gajanayake the following day, stating they wished to meet their relatives and receive food. Upon receiving permission for this request, ten prison officers who went inside to escort them were suddenly surrounded by the rebellious inmates, brutally assaulted, and taken hostage. It is clear that this tactic was also pre-planned by them.
When prison officers and the Police Special Task Force attempted to enter to rescue these hostages, the inmates fired shots from a T-56 automatic firearm and a Russian-made 12-bore firearm that they possessed. The very fact that such dangerous firearms and ammunition could be brought into and hidden within a highly secured area like a prison speaks volumes about the severity of this conspiracy. However, subject matter experts have expressed strong disapproval regarding how prison authorities handled this situation. No swift action was taken to call in the police or military until the clash escalated with casualties, and security forces were only allowed to enter at the very last moment when the situation had completely spiraled out of control.
Prison Commissioner General Prasad Hemanta Kumara stated at a cabinet media briefing that the damage that could have occurred was minimized because officers were prepared based on intelligence received. However, considering the serious situation, Acting Inspector General of Police Sanjeeva Dharmaratne has ordered that further investigations into this incident be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department. Accordingly, a special secret police team, under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector General Shani Abeysekera, has arrived at Negombo Prison and commenced extensive investigations. The inmate Suresh, suspected of orchestrating the clash, has now been transferred to another prison.
A five-member team of specialist medical officers, headed by Chief Judicial Medical Officer Specialist Dr. W.A.S.R. Wickramarathchi of the Negombo District General Hospital, has been appointed for the post-mortem examinations of those who died in this tragedy, and examinations of the bodies have already commenced. This team includes Judicial Medical Officers Rashmi Alagiyawanna, N.S.P. Wijeratne, R.F. Rajapaksha, and D.D. Prasanna Appuhami. According to current reports, 24 prison officers and 61 inmates injured in the attack are receiving treatment at Negombo Hospital and Colombo National Hospital. The investigations initiated under the guidance of the Senior Superintendent of Police for the Negombo Division and led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Gamini Ratnayake have now been entirely handed over to the Secret Police (CID).