More than 1,500 statements have been recorded as part of ongoing investigations into recent riots at prisons in Negombo, Mahara, Kuruwita, and Magazine, according to law enforcement officials. The probe, led by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has resulted in several inmate arrests on charges including aiding and abetting violence and murder. Authorities have indicated that the inquiry is still active, with additional statements pending and legal proceedings against the accused remaining unresolved.

The unrest has brought renewed attention to systemic issues within Sri Lanka's prison system, including severe overcrowding and prolonged delays in drug-related court cases. Former Bar Association President and President’s Counsel U. R. de Silva, who is advocating for prison reform, emphasized that overcrowding continues to burden the legal system. He noted that a committee headed by Justice Kulathunga, comprising representatives from multiple legal and law enforcement agencies, has been engaged in discussions aimed at addressing these challenges.

Among the committee’s suggestions is raising the drug possession threshold from 10 grams to 100 grams. This change would enable more suspects to obtain bail without waiting for government analyst reports, which are often delayed. De Silva highlighted that many detainees spend extended periods in remand while waiting for such reports, some lasting years. He also reported that recommendations following the Mahara prison riot include restricting inmate access to medicines and other items necessary for health that were previously stored in accessible areas, as drug use was reportedly a factor in the disturbances.

Another recommendation involves the removal of firearms kept inside prisons for emergency situations. Though these weapons were secured, de Silva explained that inmates were aware of their locations, posing a security risk. During the Negombo riots, firearms were reportedly removed by prison officials to prevent their seizure.

De Silva also expressed concern that some released inmates who had witnessed the incidents publicly shared their accounts, but police had yet to record their statements. He stressed that inmates inside remand prisons are unlikely to provide candid testimonies.

The issue of “Bandha police,” officers brought in from other departments during prison incidents, was also highlighted. De Silva described their role as investigative rather than conflict resolution focused.

Acknowledging the high number of drug-addicted inmates, de Silva advocated for diverting these individuals to rehabilitation centers rather than remand prisons. He pointed to staffing and equipment shortages in the Government Analyst Department as contributing causes to delayed case processing, with over 110,000 cases pending in magistrate’s courts.

Alongside calls for institutional strengthening, de Silva urged that compensation be provided to families of both deceased prisoners and prison officers impacted by the riots.

However, some civil rights advocates have questioned the impartiality of the investigations. Senaka Perera, president of the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners, said approximately 70 detainees have been named suspects, including 22 who died, with more than 15 fatalities caused by shootings. He questioned how inmates could have been shot without arms and alleged that officials potentially responsible for the deaths have not faced action.

Perera also claimed that detainees waiting to testify face threats and pressure, and some transferred inmates endured harsh treatment. He described restrictions on lawyer access since the incidents and expressed skepticism about achieving an unbiased inquiry or fair outcome.

He reiterated the government's obligation to families of those who died inside state-run institutions and pointed to ongoing problems such as mistreatment, overcrowding, and inadequate food provision inside prisons.

Highlighting the rehabilitation mandate of the penal system, Perera said the predominance of drug-addicted inmates—estimated at 65 percent—necessitates medical treatment and rehabilitation rather than incarceration, warning that failure to address rehabilitation concerns could lead to increased crime.