Human Rights Commission orders measures to ensure prisoners' safety

10-Jul-2026

.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to ensure the safety of inmates and fully cooperate with ongoing investigations into the recent violence at Negombo Prison and related incidents reported at other prisons.

In a special statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission expressed serious concern over allegations that prisoners transferred from Negombo Prison had been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment. It also raised concerns over the reported death of an inmate in custody at Welikada Prison and the denial of access to an HRCSL rapid response team that visited the prison on July 7.

The Commission called on prison authorities to grant unrestricted access to its officials, protect inmates from reprisals, preserve all evidence and conduct prompt, impartial investigations into the allegations.