Injured from Negombo Prison shifted to Colombo, Gampaha hospital

Eighteen prison officers and inmates who were receiving treatment at Negombo General Hospital have been transferred to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and Gampaha General Hospital for further treatment, hospital sources say.

The injured individuals transferred were those in serious condition following clashes inside Negombo Prison, according to reports.

Following the incident, a group of inmates from Negombo Prison has also been moved to Dumbara Prison as a precautionary measure, prison sources said.

In addition, another group is being transferred to prisons in various parts of the country, a senior prison official confirmed.

The clash between two groups of inmates inside Negombo Prison broke out around 1 p.m. yesterday (05).

Preliminary reports suggest the violence was triggered by an incident involving the betrayal of a drug trafficking operation.

Police say the confrontation was allegedly orchestrated inside the prison by a drug trafficker identified as Katuwelle Suresh Pushpakumara, who is linked to organized criminal gang member Kalumini Ravindu Sanka de Silva, also known as “Buru Moona.”

Reports indicate that 26 underworld figures linked to various criminal gangs are currently held at Negombo Prison. Authorities believe the clash was also coordinated by Pushpakumara.

He is reported to be a close associate of Koralagamage Mandinu Padmasiri Perera, also known as “Kehelbaddara Padme,” and faces charges including attacks with sharp weapons, robbery, and drug possession and trafficking.

Police say he is currently in remand custody in connection with an ongoing case before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

It is also reported that he previously faced charges in 2016 at the Naramala Magistrate’s Court for assaulting a monk and another individual, tying them up, and damaging temple property.

During the ongoing unrest today (06), some inmates also broke into the prison medical store, consumed painkillers, and damaged equipment after breaking locks at the prison office, according to reports.

So far, 25 people including prison officers have died in the incident, while over 100 others have been injured, reports say.

Two inmates who died on the 5th were identified as 29-year-old Gayan Sampath from Naththandiya and another inmate from Bolawalana, Negombo.

Meanwhile, relatives of inmates who arrived at Negombo District Hospital last night (05) reportedly behaved in a tense and unruly manner.

A special investigation team has been appointed to probe the incident, Prison Media Spokesperson and Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake said.

Police Riot Control Unit and Special Task Force personnel have been deployed inside the prison to bring the situation under control.