32 Killed in Negombo Prison Clash: Negombo Court
30-Oct-2026.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers have informed the Negombo Magistrate's Court for the fifth time that reports relating to evidence sent to the Government Analyst in connection with the deaths of 32 people during a two-day clash at Negombo Prison have not yet been received. The deceased included 10 prison officers and 22 inmates.
The Magistrate consequently directed the officers to deliver a reminder letter in person to the relevant office to obtain the outstanding reports.
The case was taken up for hearing on 29 October 2026 before Negombo Magistrate Sheelani Perera.
During the proceedings, Police Constable Thulanga, who appeared in court on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department, informed the court that 15 suspects listed as numbers 38 to 52 had been produced for an identification parade that day. He also stated that 15 new witnesses had been summoned for the identification parade.
The Chief Magistrate appointed Premal Amarasinghe as Acting Magistrate to conduct the identification parade.
Subsequently, CID officers sought permission to conduct an identification parade involving 15 suspects on 5 November and stated that 15 witnesses would be produced for the purpose. The Magistrate granted the request.
The officers also informed the court that some suspects released on bail had failed to appear for the identification parade. The Magistrate ordered that the absentees be arrested immediately and produced before the court.
It was further reported that certain inmates held in different prisons had not been produced for the identification parade. The Magistrate therefore directed that summons be issued to them through the relevant prison authorities.
The CID officers stated that statements had so far been recorded from 2,480 individuals in connection with the case. They were taking steps to record evidence from the remaining suspects and witnesses and bring the case to a conclusion as soon as possible.
After examining the investigation progress report submitted by the CID, the Magistrate ordered that all 106 suspects currently charged in connection with the incident remain in remand custody until 5 November. The case is scheduled to be called again on that date.
The clash at Negombo Prison occurred on 5 and 6 July this year, resulting in the deaths of 10 prison officers and 22 inmates, while more than 100 others sustained injuries.
At the previous hearing, the Magistrate had directed that the relatives of those who died be informed about obtaining their death certificates. Accordingly, relatives appeared before the court on October 29 to collect the certificates.
