Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera has ordered that notices be issued to twenty individuals to appear for an identification parade in connection with the deaths of 32 individuals during the Negombo Prison clash.

The order was issued when the case relating to the clash was taken up before the court today (28).

Accordingly, notices have been issued to 20 individuals, including the Negombo Chief Jailor who was serving at the Negombo Prison at the time of the recent fatal clash and several prison officers to appear before the Negombo Court on September 8.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had previously named 70 suspects in the case, with suspects numbered 1 to 6 scheduled to appear for the identification parade today.

However, two suspects were not produced today due to health-related and other legal reasons. The CID produced the remaining four suspects along with four witnesses for the identification parade.

Four witnesses appeared before the parade and identified the suspects. Prison authorities also submitted letters to the court regarding the two suspects who were not produced today.

The CID informed the court that statements have so far been recorded from more than 2,100 individuals in connection with the incident, while further statements are yet to be recorded.

The clash, which broke out between two groups of inmates at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6, resulted in the deaths of 10 prison officers and 22 inmates, while more than 100 others were injured.