Sri Lanka Prison Violence Death Toll Rises to 25
The death toll from violent unrest at a prison in Sri Lanka’s west coast town of Negombo has risen to 25, officials said Monday. A clash broke out between two rival groups of inmates at the overcapacity prison on Sunday. The conflict flared up again on Monday after rioting inmates seized prison weapons.
As a result of the prison clashes and subsequent unrest, 19 people were killed and more than 100 were injured, officials told Hiru News.
Initial findings revealed that violence was believed to have broken out at the prison between a group that allegedly supported drug trafficking activities and another group that opposed such activities.
Security has been significantly strengthened with the deployment of Police Special Task Force (STF) and riot control units to bring the situation under control.
Three prisoners were transferred to Pallansena Prison Camp on Monday as part of efforts to restore order after the clashes and prevent further violence, authorities said.
Department of Prisons Media Spokesperson AC Gajanayake stated that a special investigation has been launched into the incident.
He said that on the instructions of the Commissioner-General of Prisons, a special investigation team was appointed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the causes and circumstances of the unrest.
A separate police investigation is also ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Advocate Harshana Nanayakkara, called for a detailed report on the clashes involving inmates at Negombo Prison.
A judicial investigation was launched into the incident on Sunday.
