25 killed, 100 injured in Sri Lanka prison clashes as security forces struggle to contain riot

At least 25 people have been killed and about 100 injured in two days of clashes between rival groups of inmates at a prison in Sri Lanka, marking the deadliest such violence in the country in years.

At least 25 people have been killed and about 100 injured in two days of clashes between rival groups of inmates at a prison in Sri Lanka, marking the deadliest such violence in the country in years. The clashes began on Sunday at the prison in Negombo, a coastal town about 35 kilometres north of the commercial capital Colombo, and escalated on Monday morning, leaving 23 more dead, including six prison officials.

The violence broke out between more permanent, convicted prisoners and those under temporary detention, according to authorities. The prison holds approximately 2,400 inmates. Chamika Gajanayake, media spokesman for the Department of Prisons, told reporters that the fight began when prisoners were being served breakfast. He described the cause of violence as linked to drug trafficking but declined to give details, citing an ongoing investigation. Officials intervened to stop the clash, but the prisoners then chased the officials to the prison gate and attempted to break out.

Police riot control squads armed with batons and special forces were rushed to the prison to control the riot. A police bus carried the injured inmates, some of them sprawled on its floor, to hospital. Areas within the prison were still being cleared, officials said. The military was requested to provide support, with the Sri Lanka Air Force providing a helicopter and several drones to monitor the prison.

Dr. Pushpa Gamlath, director of the Negombo Hospital, told Reuters that about 100 injured people were brought to the hospital, some with gunshot injuries, cuts, and bruises. Eighteen of the injured were transferred to a different hospital. As dusk fell, dozens of military personnel, some in armoured vehicles, moved into position around the prison.

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, after visiting the prison, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. “I know that some weapons fell into the hands of the prisoners but at the moment I don’t know the exact number,” he said. “The entire prison is now under our control and we are conducting investigations. I wish to express my condolences to the families.” Previous prison violence includes a riot in November 2020 that left 11 inmates dead and a prison riot in 2012 in Colombo that left 27 dead. The investigation into the Negombo violence is ongoing as authorities work to restore order and determine the circumstances that led to the deadly clashes.