The Negombo Prison clash inquiry has named four inmates as suspects as the CID investigates 28 deaths, injuries and extensive property damage.
The Negombo Prison clash investigation has taken a major step forward after the Criminal Investigation Department named four inmates as suspects in the deadly unrest.
The CID informed the Negombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on July 27 that the four men were suspected of involvement in incidents that caused deaths, injuries and extensive damage to prison property.
The court heard that the unrest resulted in the deaths of prison officers and inmates. Several others suffered serious and minor injuries during the confrontation.
After considering the CID’s further report, the Chief Magistrate ordered the authorities holding the four suspects to produce them before court.
The court also directed Deputy Inspector General of Police Shani Abeysekara, who heads the CID, to identify and arrest any other suspects uncovered during the continuing investigation.
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Four Suspects Named in Negombo Prison Clash Inquiry
The CID told the court that investigators had named four inmates as suspects for the first time on July 27.
They are:
- Supun Madhusankha, alias “Heenatiyana Supun”
- Shane Dylan Silva
- Ashan Fernando, alias “Kalu Malli”
- Sameera Sampath, alias “Baba”
The CID requested formal orders requiring the prisons holding the four men to bring them before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.
Investigators also said they expect to identify other people allegedly involved in the unrest as the inquiry progresses.
Several CID teams working under four Assistant Superintendents of Police are conducting investigations across multiple areas.
The CID informed the court that it would present further progress on all branches of the investigation at the next hearing.
Post-Mortems Confirm Gunshot and Blunt Force Deaths
During the July 23 hearing, the Chief Magistrate referred to findings from post-mortem examinations carried out by the Judicial Medical Board.
Those examinations confirmed that 17 of the 28 deceased had died from gunshot wounds. The remaining 11 died from blunt force trauma.
The Chief Magistrate stated that a crime had occurred during the prison unrest.
The court also stressed that it would not classify the deceased according to their identities or backgrounds, declaring that all lives were equally valuable before the court.
Senior lawyers Aravinda Habakkala and Senaka Perera appeared in support of the rights of the deceased and injured inmates.
They argued that the post-mortem findings clearly established that serious criminal offences had occurred inside the prison.
“The CID must name who committed these crimes and those responsible for ordering the shootings as suspects in these killings,” the lawyers submitted.
They also criticised the pressure created inside Sri Lankan prisons by Section 54 of the Penal Code, which they said compels magistrates to remand suspects.
According to the lawyers, severe overcrowding and pressure can eventually erupt into tragic incidents when detention conditions deteriorate.
Habakkala argued that even a caged animal must receive food and toilet facilities.
He said denying such basic needs could provoke aggressive behaviour. He further argued that it would be unjust to keep potential suspects connected to the deaths under the custody of prison officers.
Firearms, Ammunition and Weapons Sent for Analysis
The CID produced a large collection of evidence connected to the Negombo Prison clash before the court.
The case items included firearms, live ammunition and empty cartridges.
Investigators also presented clubs, batons, black stones, concrete fragments and several sharp weapons, including knives and swords.
The court ordered authorities to send these items to the Government Analyst for examination and a formal report.
The findings could help determine which weapons were used, whether the firearms had been discharged and how individual items may connect to the deaths, injuries and damage under investigation.
Damaged CCTV Recorders Under Forensic Examination
At the July 16 hearing, the CID updated the court on damaged CCTV equipment recovered from the prison.
Investigators said inmates had damaged the digital video recorder machines connected to cameras installed inside the facility during the unrest.
The CID took the DVR units into custody and sent them to the Computer Forensic Laboratory at the University of Moratuwa.
Specialists are examining whether any footage or stored data can be recovered.
Any restored recordings could provide crucial evidence about how the disturbance began, the conduct of inmates and officers, the use of force and the sequence of events inside the prison.
CID Records Statements From Hundreds of Witnesses
During the July 14 hearing, the CID submitted another report describing the alleged events that preceded the clash.
Investigators said inmate Katuwellegama Suresh had threatened prison officers and behaved aggressively after complaining that the time allocated for exercise was insufficient.
The CID said preliminary inquiries identified this confrontation as a key event preceding the wider violence.
Investigators had recorded statements from 287 people, including prison officers and inmates.
The evidence relates to the deaths of 10 officers attached to the Prison Police Emergency Tactical Force and 20 inmates, as well as property damage exceeding Rs. 12 crore.
The CID told the court that it intended to record statements from every inmate present inside the prison during the incident.
Investigators also sought permission to question inmates later transferred to prisons in other parts of the country.
Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera ordered the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons to provide the CID with the permission and facilities required to record those statements.
The order applies to inmates held in any prison across Sri Lanka who were present during the unrest.
Murder and Firearms Charges Under Consideration
The CID previously informed the court that suspects identified through the investigation could face charges under several laws.
These include murder-related offences, the Firearms Ordinance and the Public Property Act.
Investigators also referred to Sections 102, 113, 146, 186, 300, 315, 316, 317 and 344 of the Penal Code.
The exact charges against each suspect will depend on the evidence gathered and the alleged role investigators attribute to each individual.
The inquiry originally remained with Negombo Headquarters Police.
However, Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera later transferred the entire investigation to the CID.
The court issued that order after considering a request from DIG Shani Abeysekara. Police Chief and Attorney Priyantha Weerasuriya had authorised the request.
With four inmates now formally named, attention will turn to whether investigators identify prison officers, commanders or other inmates as suspects.
The next court report is also expected to reveal progress on forensic evidence, witness statements, CCTV recovery and responsibility for the fatal shootings and assaults.
