Posted by ONLANKA Information Desk on July 7, 2026 – 7:50 pm
A Committee of Inquiry has been appointed to analyze the unrest at Sri Lanka’s Negombo Jail on July 5 and 6, 2026.
The Committee of Inquiry was appointed right now (July 07) by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, with Cupboard approval, to conduct a complete investigation into the unrest and report on the circumstances that led to the incident.
The committee is chaired by retired Supreme Courtroom Choose Priyantha Fernando.
Its different members are Extra Solicitor Normal and President’s Counsel Milinda Gunatilake and President’s Counsel Mohan Weerakoon.
Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Ok.L.D. Asela has been appointed Secretary / Convener of the Committee of Inquiry.
In the meantime, earlier right now, Cupboard Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa mentioned a number of investigations are being carried out into the incident.
He made the assertion whereas responding to questions raised by journalists on the media briefing held to announce Cupboard selections on the Division of Authorities Info.
The Commissioner Normal of Prisons was additionally current on the media briefing. Journalists requested whether or not the Division of Prisons had obtained any intelligence info earlier than the incident.
Commissioner Normal of Prisons (Overlaying Duties), Prasad Hemantha Kumara, mentioned no such intelligence info had been obtained.
Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa mentioned the Cupboard determined yesterday (July 06) to nominate a three-member committee to analyze the incident.
He mentioned the committee would come with a retired Supreme Courtroom decide, an official from the Lawyer Normal’s Division and a senior attorney-at-law.
The Minister mentioned the Negombo Police and the Colombo Crimes Division are additionally finishing up a separate investigation.
He added that the Felony Investigation Division (CID) is conducting one other investigation, whereas the Division of Prisons can be finishing up its personal inquiry.
Minister Dr. Jayatissa mentioned the complete image of the incident shall be revealed in any case these experiences are accomplished.
Explaining the scenario, Prisons Commissioner Normal Prasad Hemantha Kumara mentioned officers had been deployed in a manner that may not create unrest amongst inmates.
He mentioned it was as a result of such officers had been deployed that the injury was diminished.
In line with him, the scenario on July 05, 2026, had been utterly introduced below management by night.
The inmates had been despatched again to the wards and locked in, whereas meals and drinks had additionally been offered.
Nevertheless, the next morning, July 06, 2026, was a Monday, when court-related duties are normally carried out.
The Commissioner Normal mentioned officers entered the realm after offering meals to start these duties.
He mentioned it has now been discovered that some inmates had consumed medicine and have been in a disturbed way of thinking at the moment.
A conflict then broke out among the many inmates, and jail officers entered the realm to calm the scenario, he mentioned.
The Commissioner Normal additionally mentioned all measures had been taken to make sure the safety of the jail premises.
He claimed that inmates who had used narcotic tablets have been in a disturbed way of thinking, and mentioned ladies had additionally used them.
He additional mentioned the inmates had made varied allegations after consuming these substances.
Commenting on claims linked to dengue remedy, he mentioned docs can be found on the jail and that the same old procedures had been adopted to offer the required remedy.
He mentioned the officers on obligation risked their lives to cease the incident and produce it below management.
The Commissioner Normal additionally defined the capturing carried out by safety forces in the course of the incident on July 06, 2026.
He mentioned the inmates had first damaged the iron door contained in the jail after which moved in the direction of the picket door.
In line with him, prisons normally have two foremost doorways: an iron door first, adopted by a picket door.
He mentioned beneficial tools was positioned between the iron door and the picket door.
The Commissioner Normal mentioned if the inmates had damaged the picket door and are available outdoors, the scenario might have turn out to be inconceivable to manage.
He mentioned the injury that might have been prompted couldn’t be estimated.
He additionally mentioned that after breaking the iron door, the inmates attacked jail officers who have been close by.
A lot of jail officers had already been trapped inside among the many inmates after coming into the realm to cease the conflict and rescue others, he mentioned.
The Commissioner Normal mentioned the inmates then broke the iron door and got here out.
He mentioned the officers fired by the picket door to manage the scenario.
He added that the capturing was the one step that could possibly be taken at the moment to guard the jail officers and stop inmates from popping out and escaping.
The Commissioner Normal mentioned a significant catastrophe might have occurred if the officers had not acted whereas risking their very own lives.
