Multiple investigations have been launched into the recent unrest at the Negombo Prison, the Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has confirmed.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Department of Government Information today (07), Minister Jayatissa said the Cabinet of Ministers approved the appointment of an independent three-member committee comprising a retired Supreme Court judge, an official from the Attorney General's Department and a senior attorney-at-law to investigate the incident.

He said separate investigations are also being carried out by the Negombo Police, the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Department of Prisons.

"The full circumstances surrounding the incident will be established based on the findings of these investigations," the minister said.
Also addressing the briefing, the Commissioner General of Prisons, Prasad Hemantha Kumara said the Department of Prisons had not received any prior intelligence warning about the incident.

He said prison authorities had restored order by Sunday evening (05) after inmates were returned to their wards and routine activities resumed.

According to the Commissioner General, officers who entered the prison the following morning found that a group of inmates had allegedly consumed narcotic tablets and were in an altered mental state, triggering clashes among prisoners.

He said prison officers intervened to bring the situation under control, adding that investigations into the incident are continuing.

Meanwhile, another prison inmate injured in the clash at the Negombo Prison succumbed to his injuries this morning while receiving treatment at the Negombo Hospital.

Accordingly, the death toll from the prison violence has risen to 27. More than 50 others are also receiving treatment at the hospital.
Police stated that the fatalities now include seven prison officers and twenty inmates.