2012 Welikada prison riot

Riot

At around 1.30 pm local time on 9 November 2012 around 300 commandos from the Special Task Force (STF), a paramilitary unit of the Sri Lanka Police Service, arrived at Welikada prison to assist prison guards searching for illegal arms, drugs and mobile phones. The search was first carried out in the "L" section which was home to hardcore criminals. The STF commandos wanted to handcuff the prisoners but they objected and arguments and fighting broke out between the STF commandos and the prisoners. As the disturbance grew the STF tried to suppress the riot using tear gas but at around 4.30 pm prisoners working in the "Pingo" section broke into the main area and also started fighting with STF. The STF and the prison officials had to retreat from the prison.

The prisoners took control of the prison and a siege ensued during which some officials were held hostage by the prisoners. They started throwing stones at the STF who were now on the road outside the prison. They also threatened onlookers.

The prison was surrounded by the police and roads leading to the prison were closed at 5.45 pm. At around 6.15 pm five prisoners broke out of the prison and tried to escape on a trishaw. They opened fire at the STF who returned fire killing four of the prisoners. Over the next half an hour there was heavy gunfights between the prisoners in the prison and the authorities outside. There was a power cut in the area at 6.25 pm which added more confusion to the situation. The authorities tried to storm the prison several times but had to withdraw after coming under fire from the prisoners. The army was called in, bringing with it an armoured car. The authorities had then planned to storm the prison at 8 pm but this had to be postponed due heavy rains. Eventually, at 2 am, the STF stormed the prison and took full control of the prison.

27 people, all prisoners, had been killed and 40 injured (20 prisoners, 13 STF, four soldiers, one prison guard and two others). A number of prisoners also escaped but most had been recaptured.

The prisoners may have had inside help – it's alleged that some prison guards had been selling contraband items to the prisoners and they weren't happy that the STF had been brought in to assist with the searches.

Reaction and investigation

The police have defended their actions, saying "By killing the prisoners who were armed, we prevented a much bigger disaster". Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Chandrasiri Gajadeera announced on 10 November 2012 that he had appointed a three-member committee to investigate the riot. A second investigation is to be carried out by Prisons Commissioner General P. W. Kodippili.

The opposition has described the riot as a massacre and called for a parliamentary select committee to investigate the riot. Civil rights groups have also called for an independent investigation.

The Asian Human Rights Commission has condemned the authorities actions and has called on the government to carry out a "thorough and credible inquiry" into the riot. The European Union has urged the authorities to ensure that the investigations into the riot are carried out impartially and speedily.

Sentences

In January 2022 the Colombo High Court sentenced the former Superintendent of Magazine Prison Lamahewage Emil Ranjan to death over 33 counts including committing murder, conspiring to commit murder and unlawful assembly. Inspector of Police Neomal Rangajeewa of Police Narcotics Bureau was acquitted and released from all charges.

References

References

1. Jayakody, Pradeep. (21 November 2012). "Welikada Prison Riot". [[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]].
2. (10 November 2012). "Sri Lanka's Welikada prison clash leaves 27 dead". [[BBC News]].
3. (10 November 2012). "Welikada Prison riot leaves 26 dead, 43 injured". [[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]].
4. Radhakrishnan, R. K.. (10 November 2012). "Prison riots kill many in Sri Lanka". [[The Hindu]].
5. (9 November 2012). "Prisoners take over Welikada, 11 killed". [[The Island (Sri Lanka)]].
6. (9 November 2012). "16 killed, 45 wounded, prisoners clash with STF commandos in Welikada". [[TamilNet]].
7. Sanath Desmond. (10 November 2012). "Death toll rises to 16". [[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]].
8. (10 November 2012). "Prison riot: death toll rises to 27". [[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]].
9. Sri Nissanka, Jayantha. (September 2019). "Eyewitness relates: Welikada prisoners were massacred". [[Lakbima News]]}}{{Dead link.
10. (10 November 2012). "27 die in Sri Lanka prison riot". [[Bangkok Post]].
11. Athas, Iqbal. (10 November 2012). "Prison riot leaves 27 dead in Sri Lanka". [[CNN]].
12. Wickremasekara, Damith. (18 November 2012). "Two prison probes tackle reasons for riot". [[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]].
13. (1 November 2012). "Sri Lanka's prison clash 'a massacre'". [[BBC News]].
14. (11 November 2012). "Sri Lanka Opposition Says 27 Prisoners Died in a 'Massacre'". [[Associated Press]]/[[The New York Times]].
15. (13 November 2012). "Demands for independent probe into deadly Sri Lankan prison riot". [[Radio Australia]].
16. (10 November 2012). "Sri Lanka: Special Task Force kills 11 prisoners and injures many others". [[Asian Human Rights Commission]].
17. (10 November 2012). "AHRC flays Govt. on Welikada riot". [[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]].
18. (5 December 2012). "Local European Union statement on the rule of law in Sri Lanka". Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
19. (6 December 2012). "EU wants probe on Welikada killings, reiterates support for judiciary". [[The Island (Sri Lanka)]].
20. "Emil Ranjan sentenced to death; Rangajeewa acquitted". www.dailymirror.lk.