Welikada prison riot report to President

Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms - Chandrasiri Gajadeera says that the report on investigations on the Welikada prison riots that killed 27 inmates on November 9 last year has been received.


The report compiled by the three-member committee appointed to investigate into the incident is to be handed over to the President and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

The three-member committee comprised former Justice Bandula Atapattu, former DIG Gunasena Thenabadu and the former District Judge, Lalith Andrahennadi.

Citing Prison sources, the Lanka C News website of Minister Weerawansa says that according to the report, the 27 inmates have died after shooting each other.

According to information obtained from other inmates and injured persons, it has been revealed that the lack of knowledge on how to operate the weapons and personal disputes has led to the shootout, the website adds.

The 555 - page report has been handed over to the Minister Gajadeera, C News says.

The committee report has further said summoning of the STF and Army during such a violent occurrence was legal, the website further says.