Promotions and compensation granted for prison officers killed in Negombo Prison clash

Prison officers who lost their lives in the Negombo Prison clash were granted promotions and compensation with immediate effect, Prison Media Spokesperson Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake stated.

Accordingly, Prison Jailer S.H. Chandrawansa was promoted first class. Prison Regulators S.D. Abeywardena, B.N. Tharanga, A.D. Tharanga, D.W. Pushpakumara, R.R. Sanjeeva, T.R. Thilakasiri, and M.G. Upali were promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

These promotions are effective from the date those officers died, and the Ministry of Justice already provided a compensation of Rs. 500,000 to the next of kin of those officers, the prison media spokesperson further mentioned.

Meanwhile, the final rites of several prison officers are scheduled to be performed this afternoon.

Accordingly, the funeral of prison officer T.R. Thilakasiri, is scheduled to be performed this afternoon at the Medawachchiya, Pihimbiyagollewa, Ambagahawewa public cemetery, and the final rites regarding the body of prison officer B.N. Tharanga will be performed this afternoon at the Balangoda, Pahalawandeniya public cemetery.

Furthermore, the body of prison officer M.G. Upali, was brought to the Welikada Prison this morning to pay final respects, and the body was subsequently handed over to their family relatives.

Death inquests conducted in relation to the prison officers who lost their lives revealed that those officers were attacked inhumanely.

Meanwhile, Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera ordered the police yesterday to transfer all investigations currently conducted by the Negombo Headquarters Police regarding this incident to the Criminal Investigation Department.

A clash that arose between two groups of inmates at the Negombo Prison left over 100 people injured and caused 29 deaths. Among them are eight prison officers and 21 inmates.