At least 26 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in the worst prison riot in Sri Lanka in years, according to local media reports and police. The violence erupted at the prison in Negombo, about 35km (22 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, starting on Sunday and escalating on Monday.
Two Days of Violence
On Sunday, clashes between long-term convicts and those under temporary detention left two prisoners dead. The fighting resumed on Monday with greater intensity, resulting in 23 additional deaths, including six prison officers. The total death toll stands at 26, with over 100 inmates wounded.
Breakfast Time Clash
“The fight broke out when the prisoners were being served breakfast,” said Chamika Gajanayake, media spokesman for the Department of Prisons, speaking to reporters near the prison. He attributed the violence to drug trafficking but declined to provide further details, stating that an investigation is underway.
Heavy Security Response
Footage from Derana TV showed a heavy police presence outside the prison gate, with a police bus carrying injured inmates, some sprawled on its floor, leaving the premises. The riot marks the deadliest prison incident in Sri Lanka in recent memory, highlighting ongoing issues with overcrowding and gang rivalries within the correctional system.
Impact and Investigation
The authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident. The prison, located in Negombo, houses a mix of long-term convicts and remand prisoners. The riot has raised concerns about security protocols and the management of inmate populations in Sri Lankan prisons.
