Negombo Prison Riots Evidence Too Sensitive for Publication

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chief Jailer who was serving at the Negombo Prison at the time of the incident that resulted in the deaths of 10 prison officers and 22 inmates testified before court today as part of the ongoing investigation into the deadly incident.

The testimony was heard before Negombo Magistrate Shilani Perera.

Negombo Chief Jailer Wickrama Jayantha Kumara commenced giving evidence at around 1.00 p.m. and continued his testimony until approximately 3.00 p.m.

Following the recording of evidence, the Magistrate stated that the testimony contained information of a highly sensitive nature relating to national security and ordered that such details not be published by any media organization.

The Magistrate further directed that the relevant testimony be kept under secure custody.

During the proceedings, a detailed report concerning 89 prison and police officers who had been deployed from Welikada Prison to Negombo Prison was submitted to court.

Prison officials also presented a report on individuals currently receiving treatment at both the Colombo National Hospital and the Negombo Hospital.