By The Pulseline News Desk
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has found that prison authorities had failed to effectively contain and resolve the unrest that erupted at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6, leaving 32 people dead and highlighting the need for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents.
In its 98-page report on the violent clashes, the Commission has recommended the appointment of a special committee to investigate the incident in detail and propose measures to prevent a recurrence.
The report, containing the Commission’s observations, findings and recommendations, has been forwarded to the relevant Ministers and Ministry Secretaries for further action.
The unrest claimed the lives of 10 officers attached to the Prison Emergency Response Tactical Unit and 22 inmates, while 17 prison officers sustained injuries requiring hospitalisation.
According to the report, prison officers killed or injured during the clashes were subjected to brutal attacks by inmates.
Questions remain over inmate deaths and shootings
The Commission has said it had not reached a definitive conclusion regarding the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths of the inmates.
However, as judicial proceedings relating to the deaths are ongoing, the outcomes of those cases could provide grounds for legal action against individuals found responsible, the report has noted.
The HRCSL has also examined the shootings that occurred during the unrest.
Evidence presented to the Commission had indicated that prison officers had discharged firearms in an attempt to control the violence and prevent further escalation.
The Commission was also informed that officers of the Sri Lanka Police and the Special Task Force (STF), although armed and present at the scene, had not opened fire.
However, the report has stated that the available evidence was insufficient for the Commission to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the circumstances surrounding the shootings.
Alleged assaults on transferred inmates
The investigation has also examined allegations that inmates transferred to other prisons following the clashes had been assaulted by prison officers.
Commission officials had visited the relevant prisons, examined the inmates concerned and recorded their statements as part of the inquiry.
Information obtained during the process has suggested that some inmates may have been assaulted by prison officers, according to the report.
In response, the Commission has directed that the inmates concerned be produced before Judicial Medical Officers and has instructed the Commissioner General of Prisons to conduct further inquiries into the allegations and take measures to prevent similar incidents within the prison system.
The Commissioner General has informed the Commission that a special internal committee has already been appointed to investigate the alleged assaults.
The HRCSL has stressed that the inquiry must identify those responsible and that disciplinary action should be taken against any officers found culpable once the investigation is completed.
Calls for accountability and preventive measures
The Commission has recommended that a special committee conduct a comprehensive examination of the Negombo Prison unrest and propose measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It has also called on the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration to take appropriate action based on the committee’s findings and recommendations.
The report has placed renewed focus on prison security, the handling of violent incidents and accountability for alleged abuses within detention facilities.
While the Commission has identified shortcomings in the authorities’ handling of the unrest, several questions surrounding the deaths, shootings and alleged assaults remain subject to further investigation and judicial proceedings.
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