Cabinet Approves Compensation for Officers Affected by Negombo Prison Clash

28-Oct-2026

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The Cabinet has approved the payment of special compensation to prison officers who died or sustained injuries during clashes at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6. It has also approved measures to strengthen the Prisons Tactical Force.

The approval was granted to a proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, based on the recommendations of a committee appointed to examine the benefits to be provided to officers affected by the incidents.

In addition to the compensation payable under the Public Administration Circular, special compensation will be provided as follows:

Rs. 5 million to the families of officers who died and to officers who suffered total disability.

Rs. 4 million to officers with partial disabilities who have lost 100 per cent of their earning capacity.

Rs. 3 million to officers who have suffered temporary partial disability.

Measures have also been initiated to amend the Prisons Ordinance to provide statutory recognition to the Prisons Tactical Force.

The Cabinet has further decided to strengthen the force by recruiting adequately qualified officers, providing them with appropriate modern training and equipment, and establishing a separate headquarters for the force.