The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has summoned the heads of all institutions connected to the recent wave of prison unrest, as a deputy minister said investigations are examining whether organised groups were behind the clashes.
Senior officials of the Department of Prisons, the Inspector General of Police and the secretaries of the relevant ministries have been called to appear before the Commission on August 18. Commissioner Nimal G. Punchihewa said the meeting will discuss the measures needed to prevent similar incidents, calling what happened deeply concerning.
He said the Commission’s inquiry into the Negombo Prison incident has progressed considerably, and that investigations are also under way into the disturbance at Mahara Prison and the incidents reported after it.
Deputy minister points to an organised effort
Ruwan Senarath, Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, said investigations are examining whether various groups were involved in the clashes at several prisons, and that there are suspicions they were.
In some instances relatives of inmates were seen near prisons at the time the clashes broke out, he said, raising concerns the incidents may have been part of an organised effort. Authorities are also examining whether attempts were being made to gain control or exert influence within the prison system.
Senarath also referred to remarks he attributed to former minister Johnston Fernando, who he said had claimed at a meeting that MP Namal Rajapaksa holds significant influence within the prison system. LankaNewz has not independently verified that underlying claim, and neither Fernando nor Rajapaksa had responded to it in reporting available at the time of publication.
His remarks extend a line the government has held since Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala first told Parliament on August 7 that the unrest may be coordinated.
Security holding across all 33 prisons
The Department of Prisons said Special Task Force, police and tri-forces security remains in place at all prisons nationwide. Senarath said the coordinated mechanism set up on the President’s direction now covers all 33.
Rights body raises the prospect of Geneva
Separately, the International Human Rights Organization (IHRO) Sri Lanka warned it may take the matter to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva if the government fails to set up an effective mechanism for prisoners’ problems.
Director General Chandana Weerathunga told a media briefing that inmates’ fundamental rights are being violated. He said many suspects remain in remand for years because of delays in Government Analyst reports despite being eligible for bail — a grievance the government has said it will address through bail law reform.
Sources: Ada Derana, NewsFirst.
