August 01, Colombo (LNW): The Negombo Magistrate’s Court has imposed restrictions on the publication of portions of evidence presented during the ongoing magisterial inquiry into the recent prison clashes, ruling that the testimony contains information that could have implications for national security.
Magistrate Selani Perera issued the directive after the Head Jailor of Negombo Prison, Wickrema Jayantha Kumara, gave evidence during proceedings on July 30. The prison official, who was on duty when the violence broke out, spent approximately two hours outlining the sequence of events and other matters connected to the incident.
The witness was questioned under the direction of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), with the testimony taking place between 1.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.
Following the hearing, the Magistrate ordered that the sections of the evidence deemed sensitive be withheld from public disclosure. The Registrar of the Court was further instructed to ensure that the relevant records are kept under secure custody due to the nature of the information contained in the testimony.
During the proceedings, the CID informed the court that investigations into the prison unrest are continuing under the supervision of a team of four Assistant Superintendents of Police. Investigators also stated that reports from the Government Analyst, including examinations of firearms, sharp weapons and other material evidence recovered in connection with the incident, are still pending.
The Magistrate subsequently directed the CID to submit a further progress report on the investigation at the next stage of the inquiry as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the prison clashes.