At least 26 people, including seven prison guards, were killed and more than 100 others injured after two days of violent unrest at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka, authorities said on Tuesday.
The violence began on Sunday at the overcrowded prison in Negombo, a coastal town north of the capital Colombo, after clashes broke out between rival groups of inmates. According to officials, some prisoners seized firearms from prison guards during the unrest, leaving two people dead on the first day and dozens injured.
The situation escalated on Monday when inmates attempted to force their way through the prison gates, prompting security forces to intervene. Multiple gunshots were heard from inside the prison as authorities moved to regain control.
Officials said the unrest was reportedly sparked by a dispute involving an inmate accused of informing authorities about a drug trafficking operation inside the prison.
According to prison authorities, 23 prison officers and 54 inmates remain hospitalized with injuries. Doctors at Negombo Hospital said some victims suffered gunshot wounds, while others sustained severe cuts and blunt-force injuries. Several critically injured people were transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo.
Police said part of the prison's roof collapsed during the violence, injuring several female inmates housed in an adjoining unit.
The riots prompted anxious scenes outside the prison as relatives gathered seeking information about missing family members. Many told local media they had received no official confirmation about the condition or whereabouts of their relatives.
Security forces have since secured the prison, while the military remains on standby to assist police if necessary. Authorities are clearing affected sections of the facility, and inmates are being transferred to other prisons to restore order.
Justice and Prisons Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has ordered an investigation into the incident and directed officials to submit a detailed report.
Sri Lanka has witnessed sporadic prison violence in recent years, largely linked to severe overcrowding. In December 2020, 11 people were killed and 117 injured during a prison riot at another correctional facility.
According to official figures cited by AFP, Sri Lanka's prison population stood at about 41,250 inmates as of Sunday roughly four times the system's intended capacity.
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