The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has made several recommendations to the government following an investigation into the Mahara prison clash.
They say a postmortem should be conducted on the dead detainees to determine the cause of death. She also called for immediate action to reduce congestion in prisons, release from remand for bailable offenses, urgent trial of others and remand to those who may be granted bail for minor offenses.
The Human Rights Council has not been notified of the incident by 4 pm on November 30 and has been asked to immediately list the names of those killed, those injured or transferred to the Ragama Hospital and inform the families of the victims.
Further states, the series of recommendations, signed by the Commissioner for Investigations and Inquiries of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Ramani Muththettuwegama.
n understanding of how to manage such situations and how to manage riots and hostages without the use of firearms. Guidelines for group control, firearms use, and emergency services are also recommended.
Sri Lankan human rights activists point out that many prisoners and officers are suffering as a result of these incidents, some complaining of shortness of breath and other physical ailments unrelated to injuries, and that many prisoners found it difficult to describe their “brothers” who died at night. The Commission says psychosocial support is essential to minimize the long-term impact of this case.
About 80% of the Mahara remand prisoners were detained on drug charges, and many of them appeared to have been convicted of two or three counts of repeated offenses. That’s not to prisons, but to a rehabilitation center.