Negombo Prison Clash Death Toll Rises As Two More Prison Officers Die

COLOMBO (News 1st): Two more prison officers have died while receiving treatment at the National Hospital for injuries sustained in the clash at the Negombo Prison.

The deceased were two prison guards, aged 25 and 39.

Accordingly, the number of prison officers who died due to the clash at the Negombo Prison has risen to 10.

Following the same clash, 21 inmates died and over a hundred others were injured.

Meanwhile, five teams from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have been deployed to investigate the clash between two groups of inmates involved in drug trafficking and organized crime at the Negombo Prison.

Police stated that the CID has so far recorded statements from nearly 500 inmates and prison officials.

Statements are also scheduled to be recorded from inmates who were transferred from the Negombo Prison to other facilities.

The total number of inmates held at the Negombo Prison was 2,400.

Following the recent clash, inmates from the Negombo Prison were transferred to other prisons.

The Department of Prisons stated that only about 600 inmates are currently being held at the Negombo Prison.

They will also be transferred to other prisons in the future.

The department further noted that, for the time being, relatives are not permitted to visit those inmates.