In brief
The two‑day violence raged at Negombo Prison after inmates fought over a drug‑trafficking informant and seized firearms. The clash spilled onto rooftops and across gates, killing four guards and causing serious injuries. Military units were deployed and hospitals treated victims with bullet wounds and severe bruising. Authorities have transferred prisoners to other facilities and are investigating the outbreak, raising concerns over the country’s overcrowded jails.
At least 25 people were killed and more than 100 wounded during violent riots that erupted over two days at Negombo Prison, a coastal facility north of Colombo.
What began as a clash between two inmate groups quickly turned deadly when prisoners allegedly seized prison weapons on Sunday. The violence escalated as inmates, including men and women from a nearby unit, climbed onto the prison rooftop and demanded release.
On Monday, the inmates attempted to breach the prison gates. Security forces were deployed and gunfire echoed inside the walls. Four guards were among the victims.
The unrest is believed to stem from a dispute over an inmate who had informed on a drug trafficking operation inside the facility.
Wounded inmates were taken to Negombo Hospital and Colombo National Hospital; casualties suffered bullet wounds, cuts, and severe bruises. A portion of the prison's roof collapsed during the rioting, injuring some women.
Police reported that the prison is still under clearance, with military units on standby after authorities requested support. Prison officials have transferred inmates to other facilities and are investigating the incident.
These riots, the worst in years, highlight the chronic overcrowding of Sri Lanka’s prisons — as of Sunday the nation houses 41,250 inmates, four times the capacity.
