Indian inmate killed in Sri Lanka prison riot buried under police protection

An Indian inmate killed in the Negombo prison riot was buried under police protection in Sri Lanka. The case has intensified scrutiny of the deadly violence, with dozens of suspects facing identification and trial.

In Short

• Indian High Commission officials attended the funeral proceedings in Colombo
• Forensic examination will assess the victim's clothes and footwear submitted
• Five suspects faced identification, while eleven more are due next week

An Indian national who was killed in a deadly prison riot in Sri Lanka in July was buried on September 2 under special police protection, authorities told a court on Tuesday. The Criminal Investigation Department said the burial of the 73-year-old inmate was carried out at state expense and in line with a court directive.

Officials of the Indian High Commission in Colombo took part in the burial, the CID told the Negombo Magistrate's Court. The case relates to the prison violence in Negombo in which 22 inmates and 10 prison officials were killed, while around 100 others were injured.

According to media reports, the victim, identified as Unnikrishnan S, was from Kerala but had been living with his family in Chennai for more than four decades. He arrived in Sri Lanka on March 2 and was arrested over allegations of possessing ganja. He was later remanded in Negombo prison, where he was killed during the violence that broke out among inmates on July 5 and 6.

The CID also informed Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera that the clothes and footwear worn by the victim at the time of his death had been handed over to the court for forensic examination. An identification parade for five suspects was held on Tuesday, while another 11 suspects are scheduled to undergo an identification parade on September 10. Officials said a total of 81 suspects are expected to face trial in connection with the violence.

The July riot was among the deadliest incidents of prison violence in Sri Lanka in recent years. Officials had said it was triggered by a dispute between rival groups of inmates over drugs, while severe overcrowding made it harder for authorities to contain the clashes.

With PTI Inputs

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