Deadly Prison Riot in Sri Lanka’s Negombo Jail Leaves 26 Dead and Scores Injured

Violent clashes erupted over two days at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 26 deaths and around 77 injuries. The fatalities include 19 inmates and seven prison staff members. Authorities reported that the unrest began due to conflicts between inmate gangs over drug smuggling operations within the prison.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice stated the riots were triggered after inmates provided information about smuggling activities, leading to retaliatory attacks by drug network affiliates. During the riot, prison guards were assaulted with bricks and rods, security cameras were damaged, and some prisoners attempted to escape.

Special police units, military forces, and security personnel were deployed to regain control of the facility. Approximately 700 inmates were transferred to other prisons following the violence. The incident highlighted the severe overcrowding problem in Sri Lankan prisons, as Negombo Prison, designed for 650 inmates, was holding about 2,400 at the time of the riot.