2 sources·Updated 4h ago

HRCSL Report Reveals Lapses Behind Negombo Prison

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has released its comprehensive report containing observations, findings and recommendations on the violent clashes that took place at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6. The Commission said the 98-page report has been forwarded to the relevant Ministers and Ministry Secretaries for further action. According to the report, prison authorities had failed to effectively contain and resolve the conflict situation that erupted among inmates at Negombo Prison. The Human Rights Commission has recommended the appointment of a special committee to conduct a detailed study into the incident and propose measures to prevent a recurrence of similar events in the future. The report further states that the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration should take appropriate action based on the recommendations made by the proposed committee. The unrest claimed the lives of 10 officers attached to the Prison Emergency Response Tactical Unit and 22 inmates, while a further 17 prison officers were injured and required hospitalization. The report notes that prison officers who died or sustained injuries during the incident had been subjected to brutal attacks carried out by inmates. The Human Rights Commission said it has not yet reached a definitive conclusion regarding the exact circumstances under which the inmates died. However, as court proceedings relating to those deaths are currently ongoing, the Commission noted that the relevant judicial outcomes could pave the way for legal action against those found responsible. The Commission also examined the shootings that occurred during the unrest. According to the report, evidence was presented indicating that prison officers discharged firearms in an effort to control and prevent the violence. It was also revealed before the Commission that although officers of the Sri Lanka Police and the Special Task Force (STF) were armed and present at the scene, they had not opened fire. However, the report notes that insufficient evidence was available before the Commission to arrive at a definitive conclusion regarding those shootings. The Commission also investigated allegations that inmates transferred to other prisons following the clashes had been assaulted. As part of that inquiry, Commission officials visited the relevant prisons, examined the inmates concerned and recorded statements from them. According to those statements, information had emerged suggesting that certain inmates had been assaulted by prison officers. As a result, the Commission directed that the inmates concerned be produced before Judicial Medical Officers and instructed the Commissioner General of Prisons to conduct further inquiries into allegations of assaults within prisons and take measures to prevent such incidents. The report states that the Commissioner General of Prisons has informed the Commission that a special internal committee has already been appointed to investigate the allegations. Accordingly, the Human Rights Commission has stressed that the investigation must identify those responsible and that disciplinary action should be taken against any officers found culpable following the completion of the inquiry.