Negombo Prison deaths have risen after two more prison officers died from injuries, bringing the confirmed death toll from the July unrest to 31.
Negombo Prison deaths have continued to rise after two prison officers who suffered critical injuries during the recent violence died while receiving treatment, pushing the overall death toll from the July unrest to 31.
Police Headquarters confirmed that the two officers, aged 25 and 39, died at the Colombo National Hospital on Sunday (13) and in the early hours of Monday (14). Both had sustained serious injuries during the violent disturbances at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6.
Their deaths bring the number of prison officers killed in the incident to 10.
The prison unrest has also claimed the lives of 21 inmates, raising the total confirmed fatalities from the clashes to 31. Several injured prison officers and inmates continue to receive treatment at the Colombo National Hospital and the Negombo District Hospital.
Memorial Service Honours Victims of Negombo Prison Deaths
A special memorial service took place on Sunday morning (13) at the Ministry of Justice and National Integration to honour the prison officers and inmates who lost their lives.
Ven. Migoda Sukhitha Thero conducted the religious ceremony.
Among those in attendance were Ministry Secretary and President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinasena, Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Prasad Hemantha Kumara, together with several senior officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Prisons.
Inmate Attempts Suicide After Prison Transfer
Meanwhile, prison authorities revealed that an inmate transferred from Negombo Prison to Boossa Prison for security reasons attempted to take his own life.
The 31-year-old inmate from Kirimatiyana Watta, Lunuwila, reportedly tried to hang himself in a toilet near his cell on the evening of July 12.
He had been transferred to Boossa Prison on July 6 following the unrest.
Authorities said fellow inmates noticed the incident in time and intervened, preventing the suicide attempt.
Online Court Hearings Introduced
The Department of Prisons has also begun introducing online court hearings to reduce the logistical challenges created by the mass transfer of inmates to prisons across the country.
Transporting transferred prisoners to courts has become increasingly difficult following the redistribution of inmates after the Negombo Prison violence.
Prisons Media Spokesperson and Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake said the department has already requested the relevant courts to conduct proceedings through Zoom technology where appropriate.
He added that prison officials are prepared to facilitate online hearings in accordance with court orders.
Authorities also confirmed that nearly 600 inmates remain at Negombo Prison, while efforts continue to transfer them to other correctional facilities as quickly as possible.
The Department of Prisons continues to manage the aftermath of one of the country’s deadliest prison disturbances in recent years as investigations, medical treatment and inmate transfers remain ongoing.
