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At least 25 people, including four prison guards, were killed and more than 100 others injured after two days of deadly unrest at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka, authorities said on Monday.
The violence began on Sunday when rival inmate groups clashed inside the overcrowded correctional facility in the coastal town north of Colombo.
During the disturbance, several detainees reportedly seized firearms from prison staff, leaving two people dead and dozens wounded.
As tensions escalated, male inmates and women housed in a neighbouring section climbed onto rooftops, demanding their freedom.
Fresh chaos broke out on Monday after prisoners attempted to force their way through the main entrance.
Security personnel responded to contain the situation, with repeated gunfire heard from within the complex.
Officials believe the bloodshed was sparked by a dispute linked to an inmate accused of exposing a drug-smuggling network operating inside the facility.
Casualties were taken to Negombo Hospital and the National Hospital in Colombo for treatment. Hospital officials said victims suffered gunshot injuries, deep cuts and other serious trauma.
Police also confirmed that part of the prison roof gave way during the disorder, injuring several female inmates.
Outside the facility, anxious family members gathered seeking information about their loved ones, with many telling BBC Sinhala they had received no updates on who had survived or where inmates had been moved.
Authorities said security teams were continuing clearance operations inside the prison, while the military remained on standby following a request from police for additional support.
Prisons Department spokesman AC Gajanayake said arrangements were underway to relocate inmates to other correctional centres to restore order.
Justice and Prisons Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has directed officials to conduct a full investigation into the incident and submit a detailed report.
Although disturbances occasionally occur in Sri Lanka’s overcrowded prison system, this marks the deadliest outbreak in recent years. In December 2020, unrest at another prison claimed 11 lives and left 117 people injured.
According to AFP, Sri Lanka’s prisons were holding about 41,250 inmates as of Sunday, roughly four times their intended capacity.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong