Sri Lanka, July 8 -- SJB MP Ajith Perera questioned in Parliament yesterday why the Justice Minister did not take any action to control the initial clash which began on the evening of Sunday, July 5, at Negombo Prison as a dispute between rival organised crime groups linked to drug trafficking, leaving two inmates dead and 24 injured. The authorities temporarily restored calm overnight, but the violence violently escalated the following morning.

Another group of women were also climbing onto the roof seeking treatment. When there is a clash like this, officers with special commando training and specially trained STF staff should be deployed. But nothing has been done. At least relevant Minister was unable to talk to the prison officials ...