Gunshot wounds caused 17 deaths in Negombo Prison incident, court told

Seventeen of the 28 deaths examined following the violence inside Negombo Prison resulted from gunshot injuries, while 11 people died from assaults involving blunt weapons, the Negombo Magistrate’s Court heard on Thursday (23).

Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera disclosed the findings in open court after receiving 28 post-mortem reports from the Negombo Judicial Medical Officer.

The Magistrate said the court would make no distinction between prison officers and inmates and would administer justice equally to all parties.

She also said the available evidence indicated that a criminal offence may have been committed and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a full investigation and report its findings to court.

The CID’s Commercial Crimes Division, which is investigating the deaths of 10 Rapid Strike Force personnel and 21 inmates, also submitted a further progress report.

Sub-Inspector Madhuranga told the court that investigators had recorded statements from 969 people, including 200 prison officers, 563 inmates, 130 Police Special Task Force personnel, 11 police officers and 65 civilians.

Investigators had also identified the aliases used by 40 suspects, he said.

The court heard that the Attorney General’s Department was expected to make submissions at a future hearing.

Officers from the CID’s Commercial Crimes Division, including Assistant Superintendent of Police Kaluarachchi, also made further submissions regarding the incidents inside the prison on the 5th and 6th.

The investigation is continuing.