Preliminary probe links Negombo Prison bloodshed to rival drug groups

The Government yesterday said preliminary investigations suggest the violence that left 27 people dead at Negombo Prison may have been triggered by a confrontation between rival groups linked to the illegal drug trade, while stressing that multiple investigations are underway and no final conclusions have yet been reached. Briefing Parliament, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said initial information indicates the unrest may have stemmed from a dispute involving inmates connected to the prison drug trade, but cautioned that the findings remain preliminary and will be subject to the outcome of ongoing investigations and the report of a committee appointed by the Cabinet. The latest official figures show the death toll has risen to 27 after another injured inmate succumbed to injuries in hospital. The fatalities comprise seven prison officers and 20 inmates. A further 76 people remain hospitalised, including 23 prison officers and 53 inmates receiving treatment at the Negombo District General Hospital and the National Hospital in Colombo. According to the Minister, the initial clash broke out on Sunday between two groups of inmates and was brought under control by that evening. However, violence erupted again on Monday morning while inmates were being prepared for court appearances after breakfast, escalating into the deadliest prison disturbance in recent years. Nanayakkara said prison authorities suspect the dispute may have involved inmates who had provided information to officials to prevent the smuggling of drugs and other contraband into the prison. Such inmates are often targeted by organised criminal groups, he said, adding that investigators are examining whether this was the motive behind the attack. He reiterated that these remain preliminary findings based on information currently available. The Minister alleged that a small organised group deliberately destroyed CCTV cameras and a body scanner during the violence, suggesting an attempt to disable security systems designed to prevent contraband from entering the prison. He said not all inmates had participated in the unrest and that many innocent prisoners were among those injured. Nanayakkara said unarmed prison officers who intervened to contain the violence came under attack, while inmates later breached an iron gate and advanced towards another exit. He warned that had they escaped the prison, they could have posed a serious threat to public safety. He added that investigators are also seeking to establish how some inmates obtained weapons used during the violence. The Minister said several investigations had been launched into the incident. A Cabinet-appointed committee is conducting an independent inquiry, while the Prisons Department has lodged a complaint with Police, prompting a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigation. The Prisons Department is also carrying out its own internal probe. Separately, Police announced that the investigation has been entrusted jointly to the CID and the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police. Nanayakkara also outlined a series of measures aimed at addressing longstanding structural problems within the prison system, including chronic overcrowding and staff shortages. He said the Government is taking steps to increase prison capacity by around 10,000 places to ease overcrowding. In addition, a committee has been appointed to examine amendments to the House Arrest Act to enable certain remand prisoners to be placed under electronically monitored house arrest instead of being detained in prison. The Minister acknowledged that the Prisons Department continues to face recruitment challenges, saying the service has become increasingly unattractive to prospective applicants. “Recruitment is also underway for the Prisons Department. But this state service is no longer attractive. People from good schools are not applying to the prisons anymore, as it’s not attractive. Job requests have decreased drastically,” he told Parliament. Nanayakkara said the Government has already begun addressing issues affecting the prison system, but cautioned that meaningful reforms would take time to produce results.

Preliminary probe links Negombo Prison bloodshed to rival drug groups | Daily FT