Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa says multiple factors behind recent prison unrest have been identified, with authorities now implementing remedies while the Criminal Investigation Department probes potential connections between incidents.
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has stated that authorities have identified several underlying causes of recent clashes across Sri Lankan prisons and are implementing measures to address them. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, the Minister confirmed that the Criminal Investigation Department has initiated formal investigations into the incidents at multiple facilities.
In relation to the Negombo Prison clash, investigators have recorded statements from more than 1,500 individuals, comprising both inmates and prison officials. The Minister revealed that 61 suspects have been named in connection with killings that occurred during the unrest, with one additional person taken into police custody on Monday. Details of the incident have been formally reported to the Negombo Magistrate's Court.
Investigations into other prison incidents are also underway. According to the Minister, authorities have recorded statements from 925 individuals connected to the Mahara Prison incident, while inquiries into the Kuruwita Prison clash are continuing. As investigations progress, officials are systematically identifying those involved in the various clashes.
A significant aspect of the ongoing inquiry involves determining whether the separate incidents are linked and establishing whether external parties played any role in the unrest. The CID is examining potential interconnections between the incidents as part of its broader investigation into the causes and circumstances of the prison disturbances.
