In brief
Violence erupted over two days at Negombo Prison when inmates seized guards' weapons and overran the complex. Twenty‑six people died, most of them guards, and more than a hundred others were treated for injuries. Overcrowding — with 41,250 inmates in a system of four times its capacity — has long been cited as a risk factor. The Ministry of Justice ordered an inquiry, while the military was called in to help clear the site. This incident marks the worst prison unrest in Sri Lanka in recent years.
Violence broke out on Sunday at Negombo Prison when inmates seized guards’ weapons, leading to two deaths and numerous injuries. The next day, inmates hijacked the prison gates and demanded release, resulting in a gunfight and a collapsed roof that injured several women prisoners.
Sixty‑four people, including 23 officers and 54 inmates, received treatment for wounds ranging from bullet injuries to severe bruises. Some patients were taken to Negombo Hospital, while others were transferred to Colombo National Hospital.
Police deployed additional security forces after the riot and requested military support once the situation escalated. A building’s roof collapsed during the unrest, exacerbating the chaos.
The Prisons Commissioner announced the transfer of inmates to other facilities while the Justice Minister ordered a full investigation. Sri Lanka’s prisons, accommodating more than quadruple their intended capacity, have faced repeated riots, though this outbreak is the most deadly in recent memory.
Negombo Prison’s capacity crunch is a stark reminder of systemic issues that feed into such violent outbreaks. In 2020, a similar riot killed eleven, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
