Amnesty urges urgent probe into deaths of transferred Negombo prisoners

Amnesty International has called for an urgent, independent investigation into the deaths of two prisoners transferred from Negombo Prison following last week’s deadly prison violence. In a statement issued on Thursday, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, said reports of the deaths and allegations that transferred inmates had been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment were “deeply alarming.” “The authorities have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of these prisoners,” Pant said, urging an immediate investigation into all deaths linked to the incident. Amnesty also called on the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to be granted full access to inmates, while stressing that lawyers should be allowed to meet their clients, family members should be permitted visits, and prisoners requiring medical treatment should receive it without delay. The rights group further urged the government to ensure that the three-member committee appointed to investigate the Negombo Prison violence conducts an impartial, independent and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deadly use of force. Amnesty said the incident highlights longstanding problems in Sri Lanka’s prison system, including overcrowding, prolonged pretrial detention and poor conditions, citing concerns recently raised by UN experts. The statement follows reports that two inmates transferred from Negombo Prison died on July 8 after being moved to separate prisons. The Committee to Protect Rights of Prisoners has alleged that transferred inmates were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. The HRCSL has also expressed concern over the allegations and instructed the Commissioner General of Prisons to ensure the protection of inmates and facilitate the Commission’s access to prisons. According to Amnesty, an HRCSL Rapid Response Unit was denied access to Welikada Prison on the night of July 7. At least 28 people, including seven prison officials, were killed and more than 100 others injured during the clashes at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6. The government has appointed a three-member committee to investigate the incident. (Newswire)