286 People Questioned Over Negombo Prison Clash

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed court that statements have been recorded from 286 individuals, including inmates, in connection with the recent clash at the Negombo Prison.

The update was provided when the case was taken up before Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera today.

Presenting the progress of the investigation, the CID told court that the individuals from whom statements had been obtained included 141 inmates, 136 prison officers, and nine officers attached to the Police Special Task Force (STF).

The CID further informed court that investigators had recovered 271 spent cartridges believed to have been used during the incident. Of these, 249 were identified as ammunition used in T-56 assault rifles, according to the investigation report submitted to court.

Investigators also reported that the remaining spent cartridges were ammunition used in 9mm firearms.

The CID revealed that investigations have now commenced into 60 firearms believed to have been deployed during the incident.

Court was also informed that 89 prison and police personnel had been dispatched from Colombo to help bring the situation at Negombo Prison under control during the unrest.

After considering the submissions, the court ordered that the case be called again on Thursday, as investigations into the prison clash continue.