Negombo Prison clash officers tell Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara that timely orders and authority could have prevented the tragedy.
The Negombo Prison clash could have been prevented if officers had received timely instructions and proper authority, prison staff told Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.
The Minister faced an emotional response from prison officers when he visited the homes of officers who died in the clash. He had gone there to pay his final respects to the deceased.
During the visits, prison staff directly expressed their grievances to the Minister. They insisted that timely intervention could have prevented the disaster.
The officers said the situation developed into a major tragedy because they did not receive the necessary authorization to act.
“We didn’t fire, Sir. We asked whether we should fire. If we had been given the order, we could have stopped this. Give us the authority to take necessary action during emergencies,” the officers requested from the Minister.
They also raised concerns about their own safety. The officers pointed out that the prison population includes dangerous individuals who can pose serious threats during emergencies.
“This could have been stopped with just a fingernail, Sir. If about 1,500 had come out, the entire population would have been finished. It was that officer who saved us,” they said emotionally.
Responding to the concerns raised over the Negombo Prison clash, Minister Nanayakkara promised to ensure maximum justice regarding the incident.
He also assured officers that the government would reconsider training, security protocols and measures protecting prison staff.
The Minister further promised a formal investigation into the tragedy and said authorities would take the necessary steps to ensure justice.
