News Prison mayhem leaves at least 26 dead; five officers killed in revenge violence Published 6 mins agoon 2026/07/7 Police and STF personnel rushing an injured prison officer to an ambulance after yesterday’s clash at the Negombo Prison. At least 26 people, including five pris…
News Prison mayhem leaves at least 26 dead; five officers killed in revenge violence
Published 6 mins agoon 2026/07/7
Police and STF personnel rushing an injured prison officer to an ambulance after yesterday’s clash at the Negombo Prison. At least 26 people, including five prison officers and 20 inmates, have been confirmed dead following violent unrest at Negombo Prison, hospital sources said yesterday, as authorities struggled to restore full control over the facility. According to unconfirmed reports the prison officers were killed by rioters yesterday morning, in retaliation, and weapons carried by those officers were grabbed by them. Negombo General Hospital Director Consultant Dr. Pushpa Gamlath said nearly 100 injured persons had been admitted, following the clashes, and eight of the critically wounded had been transferred to the National Hospital, in Colombo, for further treatment. The violence, which initially broke out on Sunday (5) between remand prisoners and convicted inmates, left two inmates dead and 38 others injured before being temporarily brought under control. However, tensions flared again on Monday (6), with prison officials reporting renewed unrest inside the facility despite earlier assurances that the situation had stabilised. Police said the initial confrontation was triggered by a dispute linked to the exposure of an alleged drug trafficking network, operating within the prison, and was reportedly orchestrated by a drug trafficker, identified as Suresh, who is said to have links to an underworld figure known as ‘Booru Moona’. The violence rapidly escalated, with female inmates staging a protest on the Prison roof in support of those involved in the clashes, while relatives gathered outside demanding information on detainees. Police later facilitated visits for selected family members to hospitalised inmates. The Negombo Prison, which houses around 1,800 remand and convicted inmates, descended into widespread disorder as rival groups clashed, with reports indicating that the violence later spread beyond the initial confrontation. Authorities said rioting inmates had allegedly seized firearms during the renewed unrest on Monday, prompting heightened security measures. The Sri Lanka Air Force deployed drones for aerial surveillance and a Bell 412 helicopter to monitor the situation, while additional military personnel were sent to reinforce security around the prison. Prisons Department spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said a special investigation team had been appointed, under the direction of the Commissioner General of Prisons, to probe the incident, while a separate police investigation is also underway. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told The Island that he had called for a detailed report on the disturbances. By Norman Palihawadane
News Tech-enabled trafficking, fake foreign jobs pose growing threat, MPs told
Published 9 mins agoon 2026/07/7
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa speaks to Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala during a special awareness programme on human trafficking held in the House recently Human trafficking has become increasingly sophisticated, with deceptive overseas employment offers, fraudulent recruitment practices and technology-enabled recruitment emerging as major threats that require a coordinated national response, Members of Parliament were told at a special awareness programme held in the House recently. Addressing the programme, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, said trafficking in persons had evolved significantly over the years and was now closely linked to organised transnational criminal networks. He warned that fake foreign employment opportunities, fraudulent recruitment agencies, online recruitment platforms, forced labour, sexual exploitation and, in some instances, the use of victims for forced criminal activities had become key challenges confronting authorities. The awareness programme organised jointly by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of the Ministry of Defence and Parliament, was aimed at strengthening legislators’ understanding of emerging trafficking trends, the legal and policy framework governing the issue, and the role of Parliament in strengthening anti-trafficking legislation. MPs were also briefed on the National Strategic Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking (2026-2030), which focuses on preventing trafficking, identifying and protecting victims, strengthening the criminal justice response and improving coordination among State institutions. Special emphasis was placed on the growing use of digital platforms for recruitment, deceptive migration practices, labour exploitation and the coercion of victims into criminal activities. The programme featured presentations by Additional Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundara, PC, and State Counsel Sajith Bandara of the Attorney General’s Department. The event, held under the patronage of Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, was attended by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala, Deputy Defence Minister retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, Members of Parliament and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and Parliament.
News National programme to conserve 1,000 archaeological sites across the country
Published 10 mins agoon 2026/07/7
The government has completed preparations to launch a national programme to conserve 1,000 archaeological sites across the country, in parallel with the commencement of Archaeology Week, which begins today (07). Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake said the initiative aims to identify sites of historical and archaeological significance and expedite excavation, research and conservation work. As the first phase of the programme, conservation activities will commence at 100 identified sites during Archaeology Week, while the remaining sites will be taken up subsequently. The Deputy Minister said Community Conservation Committees would be established in areas surrounding the identified sites to encourage public participation in protecting the country’s archaeological heritage. The committees will submit proposals and recommendations on excavation, research and conservation work, which will be implemented under the technical guidance and direct supervision of officers of the Department of Archaeology. This year’s Archaeology Week is being held under the theme “Bringing Heritage to Life”, reflecting the government’s efforts to preserve and revitalise Sri Lanka’s archaeological heritage through scientific conservation and community participation. Dissanayake said public involvement in safeguarding archaeological sites had remained inadequate and expressed confidence that the establishment of Community Conservation Committees would strengthen conservation efforts by encouraging local communities to play a more active role in protecting the nation’s archaeological heritage.