Live NewsNegombo Prison Unrest

The People’s Joint Opposition has called for a fully impartial and comprehensive investigation into the deadly riot at the Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6, which resulted in the deaths of over 30 individuals, including prison officials.

In a statement, the group described the incident as one of the worst prison-related tragedies in the country’s history, stating that the circumstances surrounding the deaths require a thorough examination. It welcomed the appointment of an inquiry committee headed by a recently retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the events.

The statement raised several concerns over the handling of the unrest, including the failure to separate inmates and prison officers after violence first broke out on July 5, despite the situation reportedly coming under control later that day.

It questioned the decision to send prison officials among inmates on the morning of July 6, claiming the move escalated tensions and led to further violence.

The Joint Opposition also called for an investigation into the use of firearms by a prison security officer during the clashes, questioning whether the action was justified or whether alternative measures could have been used to control the situation.

The statement further questioned why police personnel, including the Special Task Force, who were reportedly on standby, did not intervene earlier and sought clarification on whether proper coordination took place between relevant authorities.

Concerns were also raised over the alleged mistreatment of inmates during transfers from Negombo Prison to Welikada, Agunukolapelessa and Boossa prisons. The group claimed several inmates suffered serious injuries during transportation and highlighted deaths that occurred after the transfers.

The People’s Joint Opposition said deaths of inmates while in state custody raised serious legal concerns under Sri Lanka’s Constitution and international human rights obligations. It also criticised the absence of the Justice Minister during the crisis and called for accountability over the authorities’ response.

The statement further alleged that access was denied to a Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka inspection team visiting the Welikada Prison, describing the incident as a serious violation requiring investigation.

The group attributed the chaos at the Negombo Prison to a lack of proper administrative control, citing the absence of a permanent Commissioner-General of Prisons for more than a year and raising concerns over decisions made by officials.

It also highlighted overcrowding in prisons, noting that facilities are currently holding significantly more inmates than their intended capacity and that a large proportion of prisoners are being held without convictions.

The People’s Joint Opposition called for transparency and accountability in investigating the tragedy, stating that efforts to conceal facts or avoid responsibility must be opposed.

A prison officer who opened fire during the violent unrest at the Negombo Prison has been temporarily transferred to the Pallekele Prison while investigations into the incident are underway, Prison Department Spokesman and Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake said.

The shooting took place on July 6 after a group of inmates allegedly attempted to break through the prison’s wooden gate during the violence.

According to preliminary investigations, inmates had launched a life-threatening attack on prison officers, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm in an effort to bring the situation under control and protect the lives of prison personnel.

An investigation has been launched to determine whether the use of the firearm was in accordance with prison regulations and whether the officer acted within the scope of his authority.

The deadly unrest at the Negombo Prison has so far claimed the lives of 31 people, including 10 prison officers.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (14) informed the Negombo Magistrate’s Court that 271 bullet shells had been recovered from the Negombo Prison premises during investigations into the recent prison unrest.

The revelation was made when the case was taken up before Negombo Magistrate Shalani Perera, Ada Derana reporter said.

The CID said around 40 officers, divided into three teams, are conducting investigations into the incident.

Investigative officers told the court that statements had so far been recorded from 136 prison officers, 141 inmates and nine Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel. They added that 2,417 inmates and 166 prison officers were present within the prison premises when the unrest occurred.

According to the CID, the unrest began on July 5 following an altercation involving an inmate, before escalating into large-scale violence in which three inmates were killed and 36 others were injured.

The CID further informed the court that a T-56 assault rifle and a magazine had been recovered from inside the prison. Investigators have also taken into custody 60 firearms—50 issued to Negombo Prison officers and 10 to officers deployed from Welikada Prison—for forensic examination.

Court was also informed that two DVR hard drives containing CCTV footage from the prison had been produced as case material and would be forwarded to the University of Moratuwa's Computer Forensics Laboratory for analysis.

The CID said investigations are continuing into alleged offences, including murder, violations of the Firearms Ordinance and the Public Property Act, while legal advice has also been sought from the Attorney General.

After considering the submissions, Magistrate Perera ordered the CID to obtain reports relating to all inmates who were at the prison during the unrest and to record statements from those who have since been transferred to other prisons under the supervision of the Commissioner General of Prisons.

The case was postponed until July 16.

A pre-existing perception about inmates was a key factor that led to the escalation of the incident at the Negombo Prison, the former Commissioner General of Prisons, Jagath Weerasinghe stated.

Speaking during the Ada Derana ‘Big Focus’ programme regarding the clash at the Negombo Prison recently, Weerasinghe said prison officials had made a serious error by entering the facility without adequate precautions after placing trust in the inmates.

He said two inmates had died on June 5 due to an internal dispute, but the information had not been effectively communicated to prison officers. The following morning, a group of officers had entered the prison premises without weapons, he added.

"The biggest issue was the perception held about the inmates," Weerasinghe said.

He said that during his nearly 38 years of service in the prison department, he had never trusted inmates under any circumstances.

The former Commissioner General of Prisons noted the officers had made a serious mistake by entering the prison based on their trust in the inmates.

He also highlighted the strain on prison management, stating that around 5,500 officers are currently responsible for overseeing approximately 43,000 inmates.

Two more prison guards have succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo, raising the death toll from the violent clash at Negombo Prison to 31.

According to Police, the latest fatalities bring the total number of deaths to 31, including 10 prison officers.

Police said that the two prison officers succumbed yesterday (13) and in the early hours of today (14) while receiving treatment.

The deceased have been identified as two prison officers aged 25 and 39, police stated.

Police further stated that 21 inmates also lost their lives during the clashes that took place at the prison on July 5 and 6, 2026.

Several other injured inmates and prison officers are currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo and the Negombo Hospital.