July 16, Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised strong objections after its officers were refused entry to Welikada Prison earlier this month, insisting that the incident breached the legal powers granted to the Commission to conduct unannounced visits to places of detention.
In a statement, the HRCSL said the incident occurred on 7 July and was later discussed at a meeting held on 14 July, chaired by Commission Chairman Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya. During the meeting, prison authorities attributed the refusal of access to a volatile security situation within the prison at the time.
Although prison officials apologised for failing to promptly inform Commission representatives of the circumstances and assured that such an incident would not be repeated, the HRCSL said the explanation did not adequately address its concerns. The Commission maintained that, under the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, No. 21 of 1996, its officers are legally entitled to enter places of detention without prior notice in the course of carrying out their duties.
The Commission also voiced concern over a series of allegations involving inmates transferred from Negombo Prison. These include claims of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, the denial of necessary medical care, delays in notifying families about prisoners’ locations and the continued detention of individuals who had already completed their prison terms.
As part of its ongoing inquiry into allegations of torture, abuse and deaths in custody linked to the unrest at Negombo Prison, the HRCSL has instructed Welikada Prison authorities to extend their full cooperation to investigators and facilitate access to all relevant information.
The Commission further urged prison officials to respect its statutory inspection powers, take immediate steps to prevent reprisals against transferred prisoners, ensure families are informed without delay about the whereabouts of detainees and release without further postponement any inmates who have completed their lawful sentences. It stressed that these measures are essential to safeguarding the rights and welfare of those held in state custody.