COLOMBO, July 14 -- The death toll from the violent clashes at Negombo Prison has risen to 31 after two more prison officers who had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo National Hospital succumbed to their injuries, as investigations into the unrest intensify and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) reported they had recovered 271 spent bullet shells from the riot scene.

The two officers, aged 25 and 39, from Ambalantota and Lunugamwehera, died on Monday (13) night and early Tuesday (14) morning, respectively, bringing the number of prison officers killed in the July 5 and 6 violence to 10.

One of the deceased officers was P.D. Chandika Lashan Gunawardena of the Prison Police Special Investiga...