Negombo prison new unrest leads to transfer of female inmates

A minor disturbance occurred yesterday at the Negombo prison, which police officials confirmed they brought under control following previous clashes between two groups of inmates on the 5th and 6th of July.

Authorities subsequently transferred a group of female inmates who behaved in a disorderly manner to the Wariyapola prison.

More than 700 inmates remain at the Negombo prison following the initial unrest.

When prison officials conducted inspections yesterday to assess the situation and the facility, a group of inmates emerged from their cells to express their dissent.

Police intervened to return these inmates to their cells, at which point a group of female detainees also staged a protest.

An open verdict was issued regarding the inquests into the deaths of the inmates involved in the incident.

Police noted that identification procedures for one deceased Indian national are still ongoing.

These inquest reports are scheduled to be presented to the Negombo Magistrate's Court today.

In the meantime, relatives of the inmates gathered outside the prison yesterday, where prison officials and police instructed them to vacate the area.