Two Inmates Killed, 38 Others Injured in Negombo Prison Clash

COLOMBO (News 1st): An investigation has been launched by the police into a violent clash between two groups of inmates at the Negombo Prison.

Two inmates were killed and 38 others injured in the incident.

A senior official at the Negombo Hospital said that 10 injured inmates underwent surgery following the clash.

The official stated that two inmates in critical condition were transferred to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo for further treatment.

The Police Special Task Force (STF) was deployed to bring the situation under control.

Police said a special security arrangement has been implemented to ensure security outside the prison premises.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the clash erupted between a group allegedly supporting drug trafficking activities and another group opposing them.

Meanwhile, four inmates were injured when part of a roof in the prison facility collapsed while a group of inmates was staging a protest on top of the structure.

Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, has called for a report on the incident.

The Minister said he had instructed the Department of Prisons to submit a report on the clash by today (06).