The three-member committee appointed to conduct an investigation into the 2012 Welikada prison riot today commenced work after visiting and inspecting the scene of the incident.

The committee comprises retired High Court Judge Wimal Nambuwasam (chairman), retired Senior DIG Ashoka Wijethilake and retired administrative officer S.K. Liyanage (AAL).

Prisons Commissioner General Chandraratna Pallegama was also present when the committee carried out an inspection of the Welikada prison premises.

At least 27 inmates died and several others injured in clashes between inmates and guards on 9 November, 2012. Several guards and STF officers were also injured during the clash which resulted in damages to prison properties.

 The violence began when prisoners rounded on hundreds of police commandos who had entered the jail searching for drugs and smuggled mobile phones.

Inmates seized weapons from the prison’s weapon store during the confrontation and were later seen waving rifles from the roof of a prison building.

A three-member committee appointed by the previous administration to probe the incident had failed to reach a conclusive verdict in its report.