The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has condemned prison authorities after its officers were blocked from entering Welikada Prison earlier this month.
The rights watchdog declared that the denial of access directly violated the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, which legally empowers its officials to inspect places of detention at any time without prior notice.
Prison officials met with the HRCSL on 14 July under the chairmanship of Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya to explain the incident, which occurred on July 07, 2026.
The authorities expressed regret for failing to communicate properly and blamed the standoff on an unstable security situation within the prison complex.
However, the HRCSL firmly rejected the explanation, stating it was completely unsatisfied with the reasons provided by the prison administration.
The commission raised severe concerns regarding the treatment of inmates recently transferred to Welikada following violence at Negombo Prison.
It highlighted alarming allegations of torture, the denial of necessary medical treatment, and lengthy delays in informing families where the prisoners had been moved.
Furthermore, the HRCSL discovered that several prisoners were still being held behind bars despite having already completed their sentences.
Welikada Prison authorities have now been ordered to cooperate fully with a comprehensive investigation into allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and deaths in custody.
The commission has issued immediate directives demanding that prison authorities respect its statutory right to inspect prisons, halt all reprisals against transferred inmates, notify families of prisoner locations, and immediately release those who have served their time.
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