Update: Negombo prison clash orchestrated by 'Katuwellewella Suresh' due to a betrayal - 2 dead, 35 injured

A very regrettable and extremely serious violent incident was reported today (05) afternoon inside the Negombo Prison. Due to this severe clash that erupted between two groups of inmates held in the prison, a highly tense and dangerous situation has now been created throughout the entire prison premises.

Information is now emerging that this clash was not merely based on instant anger, but was planned and executed in a highly organized manner. Following the incident, a special security program has been launched for the prison's security, but authorities have not yet been able to completely control the volatile situation inside the prison.

Due to this series of severe attacks, two lives have been lost, and a large number of others have sustained serious injuries. According to official reports, 35 inmates injured in the clash have been promptly admitted to Negombo General Hospital. Among those hospitalized, two had already succumbed to their injuries, and doctors have taken steps to transfer two other critically ill inmates to the Colombo National Hospital for further emergency treatment. Additionally, ten of the injured receiving inpatient treatment at Negombo Hospital are scheduled for immediate surgery, while the rest are receiving treatment in wards under strict medical supervision. Amidst the tense situation inside the prison, another group of inmates has climbed onto the roof and is engaging in protests, and it is also reported that two of them sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized after falling through the roof.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the root cause of this deadly clash is an incident of betrayal of information related to an ongoing secret drug trafficking operation within the prison. Internal prison sources state that the entire attack was orchestrated by an organized criminal named "Katuwellewella Suresh," who is currently incarcerated. He has been identified as a key associate representing the faction of "Booru Moona," a notorious underworld gang leader in the country. This inmate, Katuwellewella Suresh, has for some time established his own authority and a separate sphere of control within the Negombo Prison, exerting various influences and behaving improperly towards other inmates.

 Some prison officials have continuously provided confidential information and intelligence to the Prison Superintendent regarding his autocratic behavior. Due to this, a deep-seated animosity and unrest have been developing among several factions within the prison for some time.

On the morning of the incident today, a dispute had also erupted between these factions, but prison officials intervened and temporarily resolved it. However, after lunch was served, the clash reignited fiercely like a wildfire. Inmates brutally attacked opposing groups using iron rods, stones, and various other materials found within the prison that could be used as weapons. 

The severity of the attack was such that the situation escalated to a point where the prison administration and the limited number of officials present were unable to control it. As this chaotic atmosphere reached its peak, a group of female inmates from the prison's women's ward also climbed onto the prison roof to support Suresh and his group, engaging in loud protests. A short while later, a group of male inmates also climbed onto the roof and began a separate protest, turning the entire premises into a state of severe disarray.

Although authorities implemented various strategies and efforts to resolve the conflict between the two parties and establish peace within the prison, the continuous violent behavior of the inmates caused the prison premises to completely slip out of control. With the aim of bringing down the inmates on the roof and quelling the situation, prison authorities have temporarily suspended water facilities and other essential services provided to the relevant ward complexes. Although internal control of the prison still rests with officials of the Prison Department, authorities hope to fully resolve this problematic situation before nightfall.

With the loss of control inside the prison, security forces immediately took steps to call in the police and the Police Special Task Force (STF) to strengthen external security. However, considering the risk of the internal conflict within the prison escalating further, STF officers have not entered the prison but are instead heavily reinforcing external security around the prison premises. Meanwhile, upon learning of the severe clash inside the prison, a large number of relatives of the inmates and local residents gathered near the prison. 

There, they requested authorities to provide accurate information about their children and relatives, but due to the prevailing chaotic situation, officials failed to provide proper information, leading to a tense situation between the gathered crowd and the security forces.

Such severe incidents reveal that various underworld gangs and organized criminals are currently operating their networks very freely within the country's prison system. There is strong public criticism that prison authorities and responsible officials are directly accountable for allowing an inmate to establish such positions and unlimited power within a highly secure facility like a prison. This brutal act, which occurred beyond the control of officials, ultimately claimed two innocent human lives. 

Legal action is expected to be taken against Katuwellewella Suresh, the main suspect in the incident, under charges of collective violence and murder. Considering this serious situation, it is anticipated that the current government will launch a series of strict and comprehensive measures in the future to completely reform the prison system and suppress underworld activities.