On July 5-6, violence at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka left at least 28 people dead, including seven prison officials. Hundreds of inmates were then transferred to prisons across the country. Since the transfers, two inmates have reportedly died in custody, and human rights groups have raised concerns about torture and other ill-treatment. Amnesty International is concerned about the risk of torture, reprisals, and retaliatory violence against transferred prisoners. These concerns come amid longstanding problems in Sri Lanka’s detention system, including overcrowding, prolonged pre-trial detention, and poor conditions, highlighted by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture just weeks before the incident.
Call on the Minister of Justice to ensure the safety of prisoners transferred from Negombo Prison, investigate reported custodial deaths promptly and impartially, and provide families and lawyers with information and access to transferred inmates. Any prisoner requiring medical care must receive it without delay.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: October 10, 2026
Here is how you can take action:
- Send a letter to the Sri Lankan authorities
- Send an email to the Sri Lankan Minister of Justice and National Integration using our email writing tool
- Send an email to the Sri Lankan Embassy
- Print and share the paper petition for this UA
- Post on social media
Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).
Hon. Minister of Justice,
I am writing to you about the shocking news of the reported deaths of at least two inmates following their transfer from Negombo Prison, as well as allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners transferred following the clashes at Negombo Prison on July 5-6, which led to the tragic deaths of at least 28 people, including at least seven prison officials.
On July 8, local media reported the death of an inmate transferred to Boossa High Security Prison, following a “sudden illness”. On the same day, another inmate transferred to Agunukolapelessa Prison also died. The Committee to Protect Rights of Prisoners have alleged that transferred prisoners have also been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. Moreover, relatives of Negombo prison inmates have been unable to get information from prison authorities regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones following their transfer.
I urge you to ensure the protection of the prisoners transferred from Negombo Prison from torture and other ill-treatment and to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the custodial deaths reported thus far. Additionally, I urge you to promptly inform the relatives of the inmates of the whereabouts of their loved ones following their transfer from Negombo prison and provide them and their lawyers with visitation access. Any inmates requiring medical care must also have prompt access to medical services.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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