The Attorney General has withdrawn the case concerning the deaths of 11 inmates at Mahara Prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a detailed investigation, it was concluded that the Special Task Force (STF) officers acted lawfully to safeguard both officers and inmates. The investigation determined that the officers did not exceed their legal rights to protect their own safety, leading the Attorney General to close the case, deeming further legal action unnecessary.
The incident took place on November 29, 2020, when inmates at Mahara Prison staged a protest, demanding PCR tests for suspected COVID-19 infections and medical care for those affected. The protest escalated into violence, prompting prison officers to initially deploy tear gas and rubber bullets to regain control. However, as the situation intensified, live ammunition was used, with officers claiming they aimed below the knees of the inmates.
After a three-year investigation, Welisara Magistrate Thushitha Dhammika Uduwavidana ruled the 11 deaths as homicides and ordered the arrest of the involved officers. The Magistrate also raised concerns about the officers’ use of force, noting that the gunshot wounds found on the victims’ heads, chests, and abdomens suggested deliberate targeting, rather than an attempt to control the riot. This contradicted the initial claim that officers had only fired at the lower limbs, casting doubt on the justification for the use of firearms.