Former Army Commander and leader of the Democratic Party, General Sarath Fonseka, accused the former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa of being responsible for the killing of prisoners that took place in Welikada Prison in November 2012.

In an interview on ITN last evening, Fonseka said that a dispute could have been resolved by prison officials and authorities within the prison. While there were some incorrigible prisoners, most prisoners are well disciplined and most officers also do a good job, Fonseka added. "Calling the STF and army in escalated the issue," he said.

He also alleged that the former Defence Secretary used officers loyal to him and some prisoners had been targetted for killing.

The Welikada prison riot broke out on November 9, 2012 and was controlled by early hours the next day, with the loss of 27 lives, all prisoners. Several committees were appointed to inquire in to the incident, but no report has been published. The new government appointed a fresh committee and according to the government, the report can be expected within several weeks.