The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained court approval to name an additional 24 inmates as suspects in connection with the recent deadly clash at the Negombo Prison.

The order was issued when the relevant case was taken up before Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera today (07).

Accordingly, the total number of suspects linked to the incident has increased to 62, including the 38 suspects who were previously named and the 24 suspects included today. 

The names of the suspects were not disclosed in open court due to security concerns. The CID submitted the relevant list of names along with the B Report to the Magistrate.

The 38 suspects who had already been named were scheduled to participate in an identification parade today. However, the Magistrate ordered the parade to be postponed until August 21, as the prison officers who were injured in the incident are still receiving treatment in hospital.

Meanwhile, the court ordered that all arrested suspects be further remanded until August 21 and directed prison authorities to produce all 62 suspects before court on that date.

The CID further informed the court that legal action would be taken against the suspects under charges including murder, violations of the Firearms Ordinance, the Public Property Act, and relevant provisions of the Penal Code.