The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised serious concerns over violations of its statutory authority and the treatment of inmates at Welikada and Negombo Prisons, following a meeting with prison officials earlier this month.

The Commission reported that on July 7, its staff were denied entry to Welikada Prison, despite the HRCSL Act No. 21 of 1996 granting the Commission unrestricted access to places of detention without prior notice. 

At a meeting chaired by Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya on July 14, prison officials explained that tensions among inmates and officers had created security concerns, but expressed regret for the lapse in communication.

Commissioners, however, noted that the explanation was unsatisfactory and stressed that failure to communicate breakdowns in prison security was unacceptable.

During subsequent visits, HRCSL officers received complaints from inmates transferred from Negombo Prison alleging reprisals, including torture, denial of medical treatment, and other forms of ill‑treatment. Some inmates were reportedly reluctant to seek medical care for fear of assault when separated from the general prison population.

The Commission also highlighted delays in processing inmate transfers, leaving families unaware of their relatives’ whereabouts. 

It warned that prolonged failure to disclose the location of detainees could amount to an offence under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Act, No. 5 of 2018.

In addition, HRCSL found that some inmates due for release after completing their sentences remained unlawfully detained.

The Commission announced that it will continue investigations into allegations of torture, ill‑treatment, and deaths in custody linked to violence at Negombo Prison and subsequent events. 

It directed Welikada officials to fully cooperate and issued a series of recommendations, including:

• Immediate circular reminding prison officers of the Commission’s statutory authority to inspect detention facilities without notice.
• Strict orders prohibiting reprisals against inmates transferred from Negombo Prison, with disciplinary action against violators.
• Disclosure of whereabouts of all transferred inmates to their next‑of‑kin.
• Timely release of inmates who have completed their prison sentences.

HRCSL underscored that these measures are essential to uphold human rights standards and restore accountability within the prison system. (Newswire)

The post Human Rights Commission flags rights violations at Welikada and Negombo Prisons appeared first on Newswire.

Two prison officers injured in the Negombo Prison clash and receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital have died, police confirmed. 

The deaths occurred yesterday (13) and early today (14). The victims were identified as officers aged 25 and 39. 

Their deaths raise the toll of prison officers killed in the unrest to ten.

Police further reported that 21 inmates also died in the clashes that erupted inside Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6. With the latest fatalities, the overall death toll has climbed to 31.

Meanwhile, several other injured officers and inmates continue to receive treatment at the Colombo National Hospital and Negombo Hospital. (Newswire)

The post Negombo Prison clash : Two more officers succumb to injuries appeared first on Newswire.

Prison Commissioner and Media Spokesman A. C. Gajanayake says the compensation amount to be given to the families of prison officers who died in the Negombo Prison clash could exceed Rs. 2 million, it was reported. 

According to the state newspaper Dinamina, he said that while a final conclusion on the total compensation has not yet been reached, with government intervention an initial payment of Rs. 500,000 has already been made. 

This, he said, is only a preliminary installment of the full compensation to be provided.

The Department of Prisons has borne all expenses related to the funerals of the deceased officers and is also reviewing compensation for those injured in the incident. Seven officers remain hospitalized and continue to receive treatment.

Prison officers have stressed that families of colleagues who lost their lives while on duty must receive adequate compensation. 

They pointed out that following the 2012 Welikada Prison clash, Rs. 2 million was granted for a deceased inmate and Rs. 500,000 for an injured inmate.

Prison sources stressed that since the Negombo clash occurred 14 years after Welikada, maximum fairness should be ensured for the officers who died. 

Trade unions and other organizations are preparing to submit written requests to the President, the Minister of Justice, and other relevant authorities in the coming days. (Newswire)

The post Compensation for Negombo Prison officers could exceed Rs. 2 Mn – Prison Commissioner appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Justice has announced that following the emergency situation at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6, 2026, the premises have been severely damaged and designated a crime scene, making it unsuitable to house inmates.

Issuing a statement, the ministry said that to facilitate investigations, ensure inmate safety, and begin rehabilitation work at the facility once inquiries are complete, the majority of prisoners have been temporarily transferred to other prison facilities.

The ministry further noted that overcrowding in existing prisons and concerns for inmate welfare have created the need to accommodate some prisoners in additional suitable premises.

Accordingly, until rehabilitation of Negombo Prison is completed, regulations have been issued to temporarily establish the Mahara and Old Bogambara premises as prisons under the functions of the Prisons Ordinance, the ministry added. (Newswire)

The post Negombo Prison declared crime scene after unrest – Justice Ministry appeared first on Newswire.

An Indian national inmate has died during the recent tense situation at the Negombo Prison, the Police confirmed.

The Police Media Division said the deceased is a 73‑year‑old Indian national, adding that reporting of his death was delayed as time was required to confirm his identity.

Police noted that the circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be ascertained, with a post‑mortem examination currently underway.

They further revealed that the inmate had been in custody since 2025 on charges of bringing into Sri Lanka 1.908 kilograms of Kush narcotics by air and possessing the substance.

Investigations into the unrest and the inmate’s death are continuing. (Newswire)

The post Indian inmate reported dead in Negombo Prison unrest appeared first on Newswire.

The bodies of the seven prison officers killed in the recent Negombo Prison clash were brought this morning (08) to the Welikada Prison in a vehicle procession.

Final respects are being paid to the officers at Welikada before the remains are handed over to their families.

The officers lost their lives during violent clashes inside Negombo Prison on the morning of July 6, which left multiple casualties. (Newswire)

Prison officials are paying their final respects to the seven officers who lost their lives in the Negombo Prison violence at a ceremony held at Welikada Prison in Colombo. pic.twitter.com/7yN4hjajtu

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) July 8, 2026

The post Bodies of fallen Prison Officers brought to Welikada appeared first on Newswire.

The Department of Prisons Sri Lanka has paid solemn tribute to seven officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during the recent unrest at the Negombo Prison.

In a statement, the department described them as “heroes who sacrificed their lives in duty.

The department further extended its deepest condolences on behalf of the Commissioner General of Prisons and the entire staff.

The officers remembered are:

• Sergeant R.P.R. Sanjeewa
• Sergeant B.N.N. Tharanga
• Sergeant T.N.R. Thilakasiri
• Jailer S.H.G. Chandrawansha
• Sergeant D.W. Pushpakumara
• Sergeant S.D.S. Aebywardena
• Sergeant A.D. Tharanga

The officers were killed during the unrest that occurred at the Negombo Prison on Monday (06). (Newswire)

The post Prisons Department pays tribute to fallen officers in Negombo unrest appeared first on Newswire.

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara says that construction is underway to increase the space in Sri Lankan prisons. 

Addressing the Parliament today (07), the Justice Minister said that steps are being taken to increase existing space to around 10,000 to address prison overcrowding.

He further said that a committee has been appointed to look into the House Arrest Act, to enable remand prisoners to be kept under house arrest with electronic monitoring equipment, instead of being sent to prison. 

“Recruitment is also underway for the Prisons Department. But this state service is no longer attractive. People from good schools are  not applying to  the prisons anymore, as it’s not attractive. Job requests have decreased drastically,” he said. 

Stating that the government has taken measures to address issues related to prisons, Minister Nanayakkara said that it will take time for the outcome. 

His remarks come after the recent unrest at the Negombo prison.

Briefing the Parliament today (07), Minister Nanayakkara said seven prison officers and 19 inmates have been reported dead in the clashes, while 23 officers and 54 inmates were injured and are hospitalized.

He further said that multiple investigations are underway into the deadly Negombo Prison unrest.

The Justice Minister said that the Cabinet has appointed a committee to conduct investigations into the incident, while the Prisons Department has filed a complaint with the Police and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is conducting a probe. A separate investigation is also being conducted by the Prisons Department, he said. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Police has also announced that investigations into the incident at Negombo Prison have been entrusted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). 

The Police said that the investigations have been handed over following directives issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). (Newswire)

The post Govt plans prison expansion, house arrest reforms after Negombo unrest appeared first on Newswire.

A group of Opposition members has formally requested an urgent adjournment debate under Standing Order 19(1) in Parliament, citing the government’s responsibility for the deaths and injuries caused by the recent unrest at Negombo Prison.

In a letter dated 07 July 2026 addressed to the Speaker, Opposition MPs referenced the Hansard Report of 30 November 2020, which affirmed the state’s duty to ensure the safety of prisoners and detainees under custody.

The letter highlighted that clashes inside Negombo Prison on 05 and 06 July resulted in 26 deaths, including prison officials and inmates, and more than 100 injuries. 

The Opposition argued that the government bears full responsibility for the tragedy and urged immediate parliamentary attention. 

“Accordingly, considering the gravity and urgent nature of this matter, we kindly request you to grant an opportunity for an urgent adjournment debate under Standing Order 19(1) to bring this matter to the urgent attention of Parliament,” the Opposition requested. (Newswire)

The post Opposition calls for urgent parliamentary debate on Negombo Prison unrest appeared first on Newswire.

At least 25 people have been killed in today’s clashes at the Negombo Prison, according to the latest reports on the incident. 

It is reported that the death toll includes five prison officers and 20 inmates. 

More than 50 others have been injured in the unrest that broke out at the Negombo Prison this morning.

Police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel have contained the situation as of now. 

The unrest broke out following a confrontation between inmates and prison officials.

The latest incident comes on the back of a clash between remand and convicted prisoners last afternoon, in which two inmates were reported dead and 38 injured. 

With today’s fatalities, the toll from the two days of violence has risen to over 25 dead and over 80 injured. (Newswire)

The post Five prison officers and 20 inmates killed in Negombo prison clashes appeared first on Newswire.

The death toll in the unrest that erupted at the Negombo Prison this morning has risen to 19, it was reported.

According to latest reports on the incident, the deceased include four prison officials and four inmates. 

It is further reported that more than 60 people are injured, mostly prison and security officials. 

Prison officials, along with Police and Special Task Force personnel have reportedly completely contained the situation. 

Fresh unrest broke out at the prison today following a confrontation between inmates and prison officials. 

The latest incident comes on the back of a tense situation that was reported at the prison yesterday following a clash between two groups of inmates. 

With today’s fatalities, the toll from the two days of violence has risen to over 19 dead and over 60 injured. (Newswire)

The post 19 dead and over 60 injured in Negombo prison unrest appeared first on Newswire.

The death toll in the unrest that erupted at the Negombo Prison this morning has risen to 08, it was reported.

According to latest reports on the incident, the deceased include prison security officials, Special Task Force personnel, and inmates. 

It is further reported that more than 60 people are injured, mostly prison and security officials. 

Prison officials, along with Police and Special Task Force personnel are continuing efforts to contain the situation.

Fresh unrest broke out at the prison today following a confrontation between inmates and prison officials. 

The latest incident comes on the back of a tense situation that was reported at the prison yesterday following a clash between two groups of inmates. 

With today’s fatalities, the toll from the two days of violence has risen to ten dead and over 60 injured. (Newswire)

Five people, including three prison officers, were killed in renewed clashes inside the Negombo Prison this morning (06), police sources confirmed. pic.twitter.com/2VaUT2JgsN

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) July 6, 2026

The post Negombo Prison unrest : Death toll increases to 8 appeared first on Newswire.

Three people, including two prison security officers and one inmate, have been reportedly killed in fresh clashes inside the Negombo Prison today (06). 

It is reported that around 35 others, mostly prison officials, were injured and have been admitted to Negombo Hospital.

Police had fired several gunshots to bring the situation under control. 

The unrest erupted this morning, despite authorities having restored order following yesterday’s violent confrontation between remand and convicted prisoners.

Yesterday’s clash left two inmates dead and 38 injured, who remain under treatment. 

Police and Special Task Force officers have been deployed to contain the latest unrest. (Newswire)

The post 3 killed, including 2 security officers, in fresh clashes at Negombo Prison appeared first on Newswire.

A tense situation has arisen once again in the Negombo Prison today (06), it is reported. 

Several prison officers have been reportedly injured following the renewed unrest inside the prison.

Video footage shows the Police and Special Task Force (STF) attempting to contain the situation. 

The renewed unrest comes on the back of a clash that occurred between two groups at the prison yesterday (05).

The clash had broken out between remand and convicted prisoners, resulting in the death of 02 inmates and injuries to 38 prisoners. 

Although the situation had been brought under control by this morning, fresh disturbances were reported later in the day. (Newswire)

The post Tense situation at Negombo Prison once again (Video) appeared first on Newswire.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for January 28 on a fundamental rights petition seeking an order to recover compensation from former ministers who allegedly received unlawful payments for damages to their homes during the islandwide unrest on 09 May 2022. 

The petition was filed by social activist and lawyer, Dr. Ravindranath Dabare, challenging the legality of the compensation granted in connection with the island-wide violence.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary Retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne, former Chief of Defence Staff Shavendra Silva, former IGP Chandana Wickramaratne, former Ministers of Public Security Tiran Alles and Prasanna Ranatunga, current Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya, current Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijayapala, and the Attorney General are among a total of 15 individuals named as respondents in the case.

The petitioner claims that following the May 9 attack, the previous government paid Rs. 1.22 billion in compensation to 43 individuals, including former ministers whose homes and property were damaged, pointing out that this was revealed in Parliament on February 5 by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The petitioner argues that this constitutes a serious misuse of public funds, noting that even in cases of natural disasters, the maximum compensation per person is Rs. 2.5 million.

As such, the petitioner requested the Supreme Court to declare that these payments violated legal procedures and fundamental human rights, issue an order to recover the unlawfully paid compensation, and ensure that any future compensation is based on proper valuation and legal standards. (Newswire)

The post SC to hear petition seeking recovery of compensation paid to ex-ministers appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed that a Rajapaksa had received compensation for a house in the Sevanagala area, which was destroyed during the May 09 people’s protest in 2022. 

President Dissanayake said that a report is to be compiled soon on the Rajapaksa, who had received the compensation. 

Providing further information, the President said it has been found that the house in question was not owned by this particular Rajapaksa.

“The land deed is under the name of a different person, while the house is under the name of another. However, the compensation has been received by a Rajapaksa,” he said. 

President Dissanayake said he had recently received the report containing this information and that it is yet to be presented to Parliament. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made the revelation while addressing a public meeting in Buttala on Monday (31 Mar). (Newswire)

The post May 09 unrest : Report to name Rajapaksa compensated for unowned house appeared first on Newswire.

Garment factories, banks and stock exchanges reopened as the Bangladesh government relaxed a curfew imposed to quell violent protests that left at least 150 people dead since last Tuesday.

Dhaka stocks fell as much as 1.5 percent in the morning trade after the country’s main bourse reopened at 11:00am today.

Broadband internet was restored to specific areas, including diplomatic and commercial zones after five days of outage.

Garment and textile factories started to reopen yesterday after a four-day pause in production. All factories in the garment manufacturing hubs were expected to reopen today.

As the day got off to a busy start, traffic congestion clogged Dhaka streets.

As student protests over the quota-based hiring system for government jobs turned violent, the government announced a curfew on Friday night and deployed armed forces across the country

According to The Daily Star’s count, at least 150 people have been killed and several thousand wounded in clashes with law enforcers, joined in by alleged ruling party activists since Tuesday.

The death toll may rise, as this newspaper could not contact many hospitals where dozens of critically injured were taken. Also, many families reportedly took the bodies of their loved-ones from the scene, and The Daily Star could not contact them. The Daily Star’s count is based solely on hospital and police sources.

The violence also saw dozens of public and private establishments vandalised, burned or both. Scores of vehicles were also attacked and burned. (Daily Star)

The post Bangladesh Unrest : Latest Updates appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lankan migrant workers in Bangladesh have not been harmed in the recent unrest reported in the country, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said. 

Speaking in Parliament today, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said a total of 2835 Sri Lankans are living in Bangladesh from 2019 to date.

“A total of 2690 Sri Lankans were sent as trainees, among which 107 are women and 2583 are men. A total of 145 Sri Lankans were sent as low-skilled migrant workers, among which 06 are women and 139 are men,” he said giving a breakdown of the Sri Lankans residing in Bangladesh at present. 

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bangladesh has informed that no Sri Lankans have been injured in the unrest in Bangladesh. 

“If there is a situation where Sri Lankan migrant workers need to be brought home, the Sri Lankan Embassy will ensure their safety and take the necessary measures as and when required,” he assured. 

Clashes between protesters and security forces killed at least 139 people across Bangladesh after the high court last month reinstated job reservations removed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2018.

However, the Supreme Court ordered that 93% of government jobs should be allocated on the basis of merit, against earlier quotas of 56% for groups such as families of freedom fighters, women, and people from underdeveloped areas.

More than 500 people, including some opposition leaders, have been arrested so far over days of clashes in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. (Newswire)

The post Crisis in Bangladesh : Update on Lankan migrant workers appeared first on Newswire.

A suspect involved in setting fire to a bus carrying Army personnel in Mirihana during the 2022 Sri Lanka riots, has been apprehended, it was reported.

According to Daily News, the suspect is accused of having set fire to a bus carrying Army officers deployed to provide security to the Mirihana residence of Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the riots that broke out during his tenure as the President. 

The suspect a 33-year-old resident of Pujapitiya in Mahiyanganaya was arrested by officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Saturday (Sep 02).

The Police stated that the man had been apprehended following his identification through video and photographic evidence, and investigations into the telephone network. (NewsWire)

The post Mirihana bus fire suspect arrested after 18 months appeared first on Newswire.

Three individuals have been arrested for having damaged a Police vehicle and setting fire to parts of the vehicle in the Panchikawatte area during the unrest in Sri Lanka on 09th May 2022.

The Police stated that the suspects were arrested by officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

The suspects have been identified as residents of Maradana and Colombo 12 and were apprehended following investigations conducted into the incident.

The Police stated that the suspects will be produced in court today. (NewsWire)

The post May 09 unrest: Three more arrested appeared first on Newswire.