Post-mortems reveal brutal killing of prison officers in Negombo Prison clash

Colombo, July 9 (Daily Mirror) - Post-mortem examinations into the deaths of prison officers killed during the recent violence at Negombo Prison have revealed that they were subjected to brutal physical assaults.

According to the post-mortem reports, the officers died from severe head injuries caused by blunt force trauma. 

A five-member panel of senior Judicial Medical Officers, chaired by Dr. Sujeewa Wickramasinghe, carried out autopsies on 24 of the 28 bodies transferred to Negombo Hospital. The panel also comprised Dr. Prasanna Appuhamy, Dr. Samantha Wijerathne, Dr. Saminda Rajapaksha and Dr. Ramesh Aggiyawanna.

According to the forensic findings, 14 of the 24 deaths were caused by gunshot wounds, while nine victims died as a result of blunt force injuries sustained during physical assaults. An open verdict was returned in one case pending further investigation.

The forensic panel reported that the prison officials who died from blunt force injuries had sustained fatal head trauma consistent with repeated impacts from heavy objects.

Meanwhile, proceedings relating to the prison casualties continued today (9 July) before the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court. The court was informed of the death of a prison officer who succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo. The recording of evidence in relation to that death has now been concluded.

Authorities have released the bodies of the 24 victims whose post-mortem examinations have been completed to their families for final rites. Examinations on the remaining four bodies are continuing, with officials confirming that one of the deceased awaiting examination is an Indian national.

The investigations are being conducted under the direction of Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera, who has instructed the judicial medical panel to expedite the submission of the remaining post-mortem reports. The Magistrate has also directed police to submit a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances surrounding the prison violence and the events that led to the fatalities.