Amnesty International demands probe into post-clash prison deaths

Human Rights watchdog Amnesty International urges an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two prisoners who died after the transfer from Negombo prison following recent violence.

Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for South Asia Babu Ram Pant stated that reports about these deaths and allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of other transferred inmates are deeply alarming.

The statement issued by the institute emphasised that the authorities hold a responsibility to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of these prisoners.

The Amnesty International stated that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka must receive full access to the inmates to check on their welfare and it remains paramount that lawyers can visit their clients in detention and family members are allowed to see loved ones.

An impartial, independent, and transparent probe must establish the circumstances behind what led to the fatal use of force after the government announced a committee would investigate the clashes in Negombo, reiterated Amnesty International in the statement.

The statement further noted:
“The government has announced that a committee would investigate the clashes in Negombo. We urge that the probe is impartial, independent and transparent, and the circumstances behind what led to the fatal use of force are established. This tragic episode again underscores the chronic issues in Sri Lanka’s penal system. Following a visit only last month, the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture again sounded the alarm over prolonged pretrial detention, overcrowding and inadequate conditions in prisons. Their statement also highlighted the lack of any meaningful improvement in conditions since their previous visit seven years ago. The authorities’ continued failure to address these longstanding problems only makes prison violence more likely and endangers the safety of prisoners and staff alike.”