At least 25 people have been killed and around 100 others injured after two days of violent clashes between rival groups of inmates at a prison in Negombo, marking Sri Lanka’s deadliest prison violence in years.
The unrest began on Sunday at the prison in the coastal town of Negombo, about 35 kilometres north of Colombo, when fighting broke out between convicted prisoners and inmates being held under temporary detention. The facility houses approximately 2,400 prisoners, according to the Department of Prisons.
Authorities said two inmates were killed during the initial violence on Sunday, while 38 others were injured. However, the situation escalated dramatically on Monday morning when a second wave of clashes erupted, leaving 23 more people dead, including six prison officers, as security personnel battled to regain control of the facility.
Police deployed riot control units and special forces to contain the violence, while injured inmates were rushed to hospital in police vehicles. Officials said emergency teams continued clearing sections of the prison as investigations into the incident got underway.
Department of Prisons spokesperson Chamika Gajanayake said the violence erupted while breakfast was being served. According to him, prison officers attempted to intervene but were chased towards the prison gates by inmates who also tried to break out of the facility.
Gajanayake said preliminary findings suggest the clashes were linked to drug trafficking activities inside the prison, although he declined to provide further details as investigations remain ongoing.
Negombo Hospital Director Dr Pushpa Gamlath said around 100 injured people were treated, with victims suffering gunshot wounds, cuts and bruises. She added that 18 patients were transferred to another hospital for further treatment.
The Sri Lankan military was placed on standby to assist police if required, while the Sri Lanka Air Force deployed a helicopter and surveillance drones to monitor the prison complex. As night fell, military personnel supported by armoured vehicles were stationed around the prison to maintain security.
Following a visit to the prison, Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He confirmed that some weapons had fallen into the hands of prisoners during the riot but said the exact number remained unknown. He added that the prison had since been brought back under government control and a full investigation was underway.
The latest bloodshed is among the worst prison riots in Sri Lanka in recent years. Previous major incidents include a 2020 prison riot that claimed 11 lives and another in 2012 in Colombo that left 27 people dead.
