Negombo Prison death toll rises to 31 as CID recovers 271 bullet shells
COLOMBO – The death toll from the violent clashes at Negombo Prison has risen to 31 after two more prison officers who had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo National Hospital succumbed to their injuries, as investigations into the unrest intensify and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) reported they had recovered 271 spent bullet shells from the riot scene.
The two officers, aged 25 and 39, from Ambalantota and Lunugamwehera, died on Monday (13) night and early Tuesday (14) morning, respectively, bringing the number of prison officers killed in the July 5 and 6 violence to 10.
One of the deceased officers was P.D. Chandika Lashan Gunawardena of the Prison Police Special Investigation Unit. His death comes amidst his wife’s public appeal for assistance for their seven-year-old son, who is suffering from a serious heart condition and requires costly treatment.
Twenty-one inmates were also killed during the violence, while several other prison officers and inmates remain under treatment at the Colombo National Hospital and the Negombo District General Hospital.
Appearing before Negombo Magistrate Shalani Perera on Tuesday, the CID said investigators had recovered 271 spent bullet shells from the prison premises during forensic examinations, and that around 40 officers, working in three investigation teams, are probing the incident.
Statements have so far been recorded from 136 prison officers, 141 inmates and nine Special Task Force (STF) personnel.
Investigators told the court that 2,417 inmates and 166 prison officers were inside the prison when the violence erupted.
According to the CID, the unrest began on July 5 following an altercation involving an inmate before escalating into widespread violence that left multiple inmates dead and dozens injured.
The CID also told the court that investigators had recovered a T-56 assault rifle and a magazine from inside the prison. In addition, 60 firearms, 50 issued to Negombo Prison officers and 10 issued to officers deployed from Welikada Prison, have been taken into custody for forensic examination.
Two digital video recorder (DVR) hard drives containing CCTV footage from the prison have also been produced as evidence and will be sent to the Computer Forensics Laboratory at the University of Moratuwa for detailed analysis.
The CID said investigations are continuing into alleged offences including murder, violations of the Firearms Ordinance and the Public Property Act, while legal advice has also been sought from the Attorney General regarding further action.
After considering the submissions, Magistrate Perera directed the CID to obtain reports relating to all inmates who were present during the unrest and to record statements from those who have since been transferred to other prisons under the supervision of the Commissioner General of Prisons.
The magistrate postponed the case until July 16 as investigations continue.
-ENCL
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