Authorities have launched multiple investigations after a deadly outbreak of violence at the Negombo Prison left 27 people dead and more than 100 others injured, making it one of the deadliest prison disturbances in recent years.

Security authorities today uncovered new information regarding the violent incident that occurred inside the Negombo Prison.

Prison sources stated that inmates involved in the clash had even dropped large stones on the heads of certain prison officers.

According to information uncovered by security authorities, the clash inside the Negombo Prison began at around 11 a.m. on Sunday (05).

It is reported that a group involved in drug trafficking inside the prison launched an attack targeting inmates who had provided information about the drug trade to prison officials.

According to prison sources, the entire clash was allegedly directed by a person named ‘Katuwellegama Suresh’.

During the incident, two inmates who were brutally assaulted died on Sunday.

The two deceased inmates had reportedly provided intelligence to prison officials. They were aged 29 and 31.

After security forces intervened and brought the situation under control, all inmates were peacefully returned to their cells.

Meanwhile, prison sources stated that the inmates had broken into the prison hospital and taken away all the medicines used for psychiatric patients.

After the situation was brought under control, prison officials provided food and refreshments to inmates on Monday morning.

During that time, it is reported that a person from the faction supporting Katuwellegama Suresh assaulted an inmate from the group that had provided information to prison authorities by striking him on the cheek.

Following this, around 100 other inmates surrounded the same inmate and brutally assaulted him.

At that moment, two prison officers arrived, rescued the inmate, and ran with him to the area where the prison temple was located.

The inmates who had launched the attack then hurled stones at the prison officers.

During this period, the group supporting the assaulted inmate and the group that initiated the attack engaged in a violent exchange of blows, according to sources.

It is also reported that the newly appointed chief jailer who had arrived at the Pallansena Prison was present at the scene attempting to control the situation, but inmates began attacking him as well.

Later, the two officers who had taken away the first assaulted inmate returned and rescued the officer who was being assaulted.

As they dragged him outside through the exit gate, one of the two officers was allegedly attacked by an inmate using a sharp object similar to a spike, but the attempt failed.

The incident occurred within the prison premises.

Inmates who were coordinating with prison officers reportedly told them, “Sir, don’t come here. Leave,” attempting to remove them from the area. However, another group of inmates also attacked them.

Meanwhile, officers from the Prison Emergency Response and Tactical Unit entered the area to control the situation.

As they attempted to restore order, another group of inmates reportedly surrounded the officers and launched a severe attack.

Prison sources stated that some officers had large stones thrown at their heads.

Police said the group then climbed onto a secure area of the prison and obtained one firearm stored there, as well as another firearm from the room used for storing firearms.

It is reported that they obtained a repeater firearm and a T-56 assault rifle.

There are also reports that inmates fired these weapons at some prison officers.

Later, the inmates also clashed among themselves with opposing factions.

It was reported that when security personnel entered the prison, one inmate was seen carrying one of the firearms obtained by the inmates.
Security officers later recovered the two firearms from inside the prison.

It was also reported that inmates destroyed property throughout the prison, including even the toilet located inside the prison superintendent’s official room.

The total damage caused to the prison has not yet been assessed.

Meanwhile, with another inmate who was injured in the Negombo Prison clashes dying this morning, the death toll from the violence has risen to 27.

A total of 1,033 inmates who were held at the Negombo Prison have been transferred to other prisons.

Police stated that Katuwellegama Suresh, who is accused of leading the clash, has been transferred to the Boossa Prison.

Authorities are also considering transferring all inmates from the Negombo Prison to other prisons due to investigations into the deaths that occurred during the incident.

However, due to ongoing security concerns, forensic officials and court officers have reportedly not yet entered Negombo Prison to conduct investigations.

A peaceful situation was observed at Negombo Prison this morning.

Heavy security was also deployed around the prison.

Against this background, relatives of inmates arrived near the prison again this morning seeking information about their family members held there.

A list of inmates transferred to other prisons was displayed near the prison today.

However, some relatives who were unable to obtain information about certain inmates behaved in an agitated manner near the prison premises.

Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations of those who died in the Negombo Prison clash began this morning.

Meanwhile, Negombo Police submitted an initial report regarding the incident to the Negombo Magistrate’s Court last afternoon.

Following this, investigations into the violent incident at the Negombo Prison were handed over to the Colombo Crime Division and the Criminal Investigation Department. CID officers appeared before the Negombo Chief Magistrate this morning and informed the court that they had taken over the investigation.

CID officers recorded statements from witnesses regarding the incident today.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Asanka Karawita, who is in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, also visited the Negombo Prison premises this afternoon to supervise the ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Nimal G. Punchihewa stated that the commission has decided to conduct a full investigation into the incident at Negombo Prison.