Sri Lanka's prison system has been shaken to its core by a brutal riot that has left at least 26 people dead and over 100 injured. The devastating violence, which erupted on Sunday evening at Negombo Prison, north of Colombo, is believed to have been sparked by a turf war between two rival drug gangs vying for control.
Victims with severe injuries, including cuts, bruises, and gunshot wounds, were rushed to Negombo Hospital. The hospital's director confirmed that 23 bodies had arrived, with 18 of the most critically injured being transferred to Colombo National Hospital. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara later announced three additional fatalities, bringing the total death toll to 26. He expressed his deep shock and grief, lamenting the loss of life.
The situation rapidly escalated on Monday morning as reports emerged that prisoners had seized firearms from their guards. As news of the violence spread, female inmates in an adjacent section of the prison took to the roof, demanding release, with part of the structure subsequently collapsing, injuring some of the women. The Sri Lankan Air Force deployed drones and a helicopter to monitor the area, while anxious relatives congregated outside the prison gates.
In response to the tragedy, the Sri Lankan government has established an investigative team comprising three members, led by a retired Supreme Court justice, to determine the circumstances leading up to the deadliest prison riot in years. Prison authorities are reportedly working to separate the rival gangs within the facility to prevent further incidents.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the severe overcrowding plaguing Sri Lanka's prisons. Official data reveals that as of Sunday, the nation's prisons held 41,250 inmates – approximately four times their official capacity. A previous riot in December 2020 at another Sri Lankan prison, which resulted in 11 deaths and 117 injuries during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, had prompted the government to release hundreds of prisoners in an attempt to alleviate overcrowding.