The Negombo Chief Magistrate's Court has ordered notices to be issued to 20 people, including the Negombo Chief Jailer and prison officers, requiring them to appear for an identification parade in the investigation into deaths during the July unrest at Negombo Prison.
The identification parade is scheduled for 8 September 2026.
The order was issued when the case was taken up before Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera on Friday, 28 August.
Four suspects identified
The Criminal Investigation Department had previously named 70 suspects in connection with the investigation.
Six suspects had been scheduled to be presented for an identification parade on Friday. Two were not produced because of a health issue and another court matter.
The CID subsequently produced four suspects together with four witnesses.
According to the CID's submissions to court, the four witnesses identified the suspects presented at the identification parade.
Being identified by a witness does not establish guilt. The allegations remain subject to investigation and the judicial process.
More than 2,100 statements recorded
The CID also informed court that statements had been recorded from more than 2,100 people, with further statements still to be obtained.
Current court reporting indicates that the number of named suspects effectively stands at 67 after two previously named suspects died and one duplicated suspect entry was corrected.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Investigation into prison deaths
The proceedings relate to the serious unrest at Negombo Prison on 5 and 6 July 2026, which resulted in multiple deaths and more than 100 injuries.
Questions surrounding the circumstances of the deaths, including the use of firearms, remain under investigation.
The identification-parade proceedings and the naming of suspects do not amount to findings of criminal guilt.
Key facts
- Court: Negombo Chief Magistrate's Court
- People ordered to appear: 20
- Scheduled date: 8 September 2026
- Statements recorded: More than 2,100
- Currently named suspects: 67, according to current court reporting