Deadly violence inside Sri Lanka's Negombo prison has shaken the country, with the death toll climbing to 26 and more than 100 people left injured. Taking ownership of the tragedy, Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has stepped forward to accept responsibility for the unrest. According to officials, the prison was holding far more inmates than its capacity when the fighting erupted.
Speaking to reporters, the Justice Minister said plainly that the institution falls under his purview, and for that reason he takes responsibility for what happened. He confirmed that seven prison officials and nineteen inmates had died in the violence. Nanayakkara said the situation had since been brought under control. He also stressed that firm steps must be taken to make sure such incidents are not repeated in the future.
Multiple investigations under way
Prisons Department Media Spokesman AC Gajanayake said a special investigation had been launched into the incident. He explained that an investigation team had been appointed by the Commissioner General of Prisons. The team has been tasked with examining the causes of the violence and the chain of events tied to it. Alongside this, a separate police investigation is also going on so that the full picture behind the clashes can be established.
Officials said a magisterial inquiry into the incident was carried out on Sunday. They also spelled out the toll from the violence and the disorder that followed. Of the 26 people who died, seven were prison officials, while nineteen of those killed were inmates. More than 100 people were hurt during the clashes.
Two days of escalating violence
Officials said the first clash broke out on Sunday between two rival groups of inmates. Violence then flared up again on Monday. During this renewed fighting, rioting inmates managed to seize prison guns. As the situation worsened, security was tightened further. To bring things under control, the Police Special Task Force (STF) and riot control units were deployed at the scene.
According to the information available, around 1,800 inmates were inside the jail when the fighting began. Preliminary findings suggest the violence may be linked to drug activity operating inside the prison. It is understood that one group was backing drug trafficking within the jail, while another group opposed those activities. Officials believe it was this rift that ultimately triggered the deadly clashes.
Efforts to restore order
In the aftermath of the violence, authorities took several measures to bring back order. On Monday, three inmates were transferred to the Pallansena Prison Camp. Officials said the transfer was carried out to ease tension and to head off any further attacks. With the investigations still ongoing, authorities have made clear that security remains strengthened to prevent any fresh unrest at Negombo prison.
