Prison riots in Negombo leave at least 25 dead and over 100 injured, authorities say

At least 25 killed and more than 100 injured in Negombo Prison riots, officials say

At least 25 people, including four guards, were killed and over 100 injured in riots at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka, authorities reported after clashes began on Sunday and continued into Monday.

The disturbances started on Sunday when a confrontation between two inmate groups escalated, with reports that prisoners grabbed prison firearms; two people died and dozens were wounded that day.

On Monday, violence resumed as groups of male inmates and women from an adjoining unit climbed onto rooftops demanding release, and later attempted to rush the prison gates, prompting deployment of security forces and multiple gunshots inside the facility.

Officials said the unrest was triggered by a dispute over an inmate informing on a drug trafficking operation within the prison. Prisons commissioner media spokesman AC Gajanayake said measures are being taken to transfer inmates to other facilities.

Several wounded were taken to Negombo Hospital and Colombo National Hospital; the Negombo Hospital director told AFP some casualties had bullet wounds while others had cuts and severe bruises. Police also reported a partial roof collapse that injured some of the women involved.

Family members gathered outside the prison during the unrest and told BBC Sinhala officials had not provided clear information on the whereabouts or status of their relatives.

The military was placed on standby after police requested support and areas inside the prison continued to be cleared, Reuters reported. Minister of Justice and Prisons Harshana Nanayakkara instructed authorities to investigate the incident and submit a report.

Prison overcrowding was highlighted in context: Sri Lankan prisons held 41,250 inmates as of Sunday, roughly four times capacity, according to AFP. While riots have occurred previously, authorities described these events as among the worst in years.