• Prison, police and ministry officials called for 18 August meeting

The Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) has summoned the heads of all relevant institutions for a discussion on recent unrest reported at prisons across the country.

HRCSL Member/Commissioner, attorney Nimal G. Punchihewa said the meeting would focus on measures needed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Senior officials of the Department of Prisons, the Inspector General of Police and secretaries of the relevant ministries have been summoned to the HRCSL on 18 August.

Speaking about the matter, he said: “The incidents at prisons are very regrettable. As the HRCSL, we are paying special attention to the matter and continuing our work.” He said the Commission had already launched an investigation into the incident at the Negombo Prison and that the inquiry had progressed considerably. “We have already started investigations into the incidents at Negombo Prison, and those investigations have progressed quite significantly. The Commission is also currently investigating the incidents at Mahara Prison and the incidents that occurred afterwards.”

Meanwhile, the International Human Rights Organization (IHRO) has warned that it may have to take the matter before the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva if the Government fails to establish an effective mechanism to address the problems faced by prison inmates.

The organisation’s Director General Chandana Weerathunga said the fundamental rights (FRs) of prisoners were currently being violated. “The FRs of prisoners are being violated at present. We call on the Government to ensure that these prisoners receive the FRs they are entitled to.” He also pointed to the large number of suspects who remain in prison because forensic reports required for their cases have not been issued. “We tell the Government to please put this mechanism right. If that does not happen, we will have to take this matter all the way to the UNHRC.”