Tuesday Jul 07, 2026
Tuesday Jul 07, 2026
Tuesday, 7 July 2026 04:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has held the Government responsible for the deadly violence at Negombo Prison, saying the incident reflects a broader collapse of discipline and efficiency within the prison administration.
Issuing a special statement yesterday, Premadasa said the loss of life and injuries were the result of institutional failure, arguing that the authorities had failed in their duty to maintain order within correctional facilities.
He said at least 25 people had died in the violence and stressed that the Government must accept full responsibility for the tragedy.
Premadasa also pointed to earlier remarks made by the current President during his time in the Opposition, when he had argued that Governments should be held accountable if deaths occur inside prisons. He said that same standard should now be applied to the present administration.
The Opposition Leader further claimed that the Government’s promise of “system change” had not materialised, saying the incident exposed serious weaknesses in governance, law enforcement, and prison management.
He questioned whether the administration was capable of ensuring both effective law and order and humane treatment within the prison system, adding that the public deserved clear answers on how the situation escalated to such a scale.
Premadasa called for an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident, insisting that it should not be handled by a Government-appointed committee tasked with producing a favourable report.
He also urged the Government to set aside what he described as political arrogance and focus on urgent national priorities, including security and prison reform.
