Police Security Deployed For Funeral Of Kerala Man Killed In Sri Lanka Prison Riot

An Indian national who was killed during a deadly prison riot in Sri Lanka’s western coastal town of Negombo in July was buried under special police protection, authorities informed a magistrate’s court. The 73-year-old inmate, identified as Unnikrishnan S, was buried on September 2 in accordance with a court directive and at state expense. Officials from the Indian High Commission in Colombo also participated in the burial.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday that arrangements for the burial were carried out under police protection. According to media reports, Unnikrishnan was originally from Kerala but had been living with his family in Chennai for more than four decades. His death occurred during violence that broke out among inmates at Negombo prison on July 5 and 6.

Unnikrishnan had arrived in Sri Lanka on March 2 and was arrested on allegations of possessing ganja before being remanded at Negombo prison. He was among the inmates caught in the violence that erupted inside the facility. The CID also informed Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera that the clothes and footwear he was wearing at the time of his death had been handed over to the court for forensic examination.

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The case relates to one of Sri Lanka’s deadliest episodes of prison violence in recent years. The riot resulted in the deaths of 22 inmates and 10 prison officials, while around 100 other people were injured. Authorities have attributed the violence to a dispute between rival groups of inmates over drugs, while severe overcrowding at the prison was identified as a major factor that made it difficult for authorities to bring the clashes under control.

The court is also overseeing proceedings against suspects accused in connection with the prison violence. An identification parade involving five suspects was held on Tuesday, while another 11 suspects are scheduled to undergo an identification parade on September 10. Authorities have indicated that a total of 81 suspects are expected to face trial in connection with the riot.

The burial of Unnikrishnan comes as the investigation into the prison violence continues, with authorities examining evidence linked to the deaths and injuries during the clashes. The involvement of Indian High Commission officials in the burial also highlights the case’s connection to India, given Unnikrishnan’s Indian nationality and his long-standing family ties in Chennai.

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