HRCSL probes prison violence, torture allegations after Negombo incident

• HRCSL launch probe following  violence at Negombo Prison and Welikada Prison

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has launched an investigation into allegations of torture, ill-treatment and deaths in custody following the violence at Negombo Prison and subsequent incidents at Welikada Prison, the Commission said in a statement.  

The Commission summoned Welikada Prison officials over the denial of access to its officers on July 7, warning that preventing entry to a detention facility was a violation of its legal mandate. 

The HRCSL said inmates transferred from Negombo Prison had complained of reprisals, including assaults, torture and denial of medical treatment. It also raised concerns over delays in informing families about transferred inmates and the continued detention of prisoners who had completed their sentences.  

The Commission directed prison authorities to prevent further reprisals and fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the Negombo Prison violence and related incidents.