Eighth Prison Officer Dies; Negombo Prison Death Toll Rises to 28

COLOMBO (News 1st); The death toll from the violent clash between two groups linked to drug trafficking and organized crime at Negombo Prison has risen to 28 after another prison officer succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident.

Prisons Department Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said the officer passed away this morning while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital.

With the latest fatality, the number of prison officers killed in the violence has increased to eight.

Meanwhile, the remains of seven prison officers who lost their lives in the clash were brought to the Welikada Prison Training School this morning, where fellow prison officers were given an opportunity to pay their final respects.

The officers honoured were Sergeants R.P.R. Sanjeewa, B.N.N. Tharanga, T.N.R. Thilakasiri, D.W. Pushpakumara, S.D.S. Abeywardena, A.D. Tharanga, and Chief Jailer S.H.G. Chandrawansa.

The solemn ceremony drew prison officials and colleagues who gathered to pay tribute to the officers who lost their lives while on duty during one of the deadliest prison incidents in Sri Lanka's recent history.

According to the Prisons Department, the overall death toll from the incident has now climbed to 28, including eight prison officers, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the clash continue.