A prisoners' rights organization has sought intervention from US and European governments regarding alleged abuses and deaths at Sri Lankan prisons, claiming the NPP administration is obstructing justice and denying inmates access to legal representation.
The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) has appealed to diplomatic missions from the United States, Britain, Germany, France, New Zealand, Canada, and Switzerland to pressure the ruling National People's Power government into establishing independent oversight mechanisms for prisons and guaranteeing detainees access to legal counsel.
The advocacy group raised concerns following violence at Negombo Prison on 5-6 July, alleging that inmates transferred to other facilities at Welikada, Agunukolapelessa, Pallekele, and Boossa have faced severe assault. According to sources cited by The Island, approximately 15 inmates granted bail by Negombo court were not presented for bail processing, with prisoners' rights lawyers suggesting this was deliberate to extract statements and suppress witness testimony. The CPRP has also reported the disappearance of three Negombo inmates, including a Venezuelan national.
The government has remained silent on compensation for families of 22 individuals who died at Negombo Prison, though prison officers received compensation payments. An attorney involved in prisoner protection work characterized the situation as an attempt to suppress truth rather than address systemic problems. Academic sources point to severe overcrowding as a contributing factor, with the prison system holding over 40,000 detainees against a maximum capacity of 11,000 to 12,000.
The CPRP's decision to seek external intervention reflects frustration with the domestic response, particularly following the government's defeat of a no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara over his handling of the Negombo incidents. The organization has requested foreign governments raise concerns with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and relevant United Nations mechanisms.
