At least 28 killed in Sri Lankan prison riot as clashes enter second day

At least 28 people have been killed and more than 100 injured after violent clashes erupted between rival inmate groups at a Sri Lankan prison, authorities confirmed on Monday, as security forces struggled to regain control of the Negombo facility where fighting entered its second day.

The death toll, initially reported as 25 by local media, was revised upward to 28 by police and hospital sources, including four prison guards who were killed while attempting to break up the rioting. The clashes began on Sunday evening between convicted prisoners and those held in pre-trial detention, according to multiple reports. The violence, which has left the prison in chaos, prompted the deployment of military reinforcements to support overwhelmed police forces.

Negombo prison, located 35 kilometers north of Colombo, houses nearly 10,000 inmates in a facility designed for just 10,000—a capacity that has long been exceeded. Official data shows Sri Lanka’s prison system currently holds 41,250 inmates, more than four times its intended capacity, a situation that has repeatedly sparked unrest. The latest violence marks the deadliest prison riot in the country in over five years, surpassing a 2020 incident that left 11 inmates dead and 117 wounded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath confirmed that 28 bodies had been brought to the Negombo hospital, with more than 100 injured inmates and guards receiving treatment. “There are some victims with gunshot injuries,” Gamlath told AFP . Visuals from local broadcaster Derana TV showed heavy police deployment outside the prison gates, with a bus carrying injured inmates—some lying on the floor—departing the scene.

Police spokesman Chandana Herath confirmed the unrest but declined to provide further details, stating only that the clashes had broken out on Sunday and continued into Monday . Army spokesman Waruna Gamage said military units had been placed on standby to assist police if required, though no formal request for deployment had yet been made .

The trigger for the violence remains unclear, though reports suggest the clashes involved rival drug gangs within the prison. Local residents reported hearing gunshots, and authorities deployed drones to monitor the situation from above. Large crowds of relatives gathered outside the prison, many of whom climbed onto the facility’s roof during the unrest, leading to structural collapses that contributed to the high number of injuries .

Sri Lanka’s prison system has long been criticized for its severe overcrowding, a problem exacerbated by prolonged pre-trial detention and harsh sentencing laws. The government has previously responded to unrest by releasing hundreds of inmates to ease pressure, most recently during the pandemic. However, with the system still operating at four times its capacity, experts warn that conditions remain ripe for further violence.

As the military stands ready to intervene, authorities are working to account for all casualties and restore order. The full extent of the damage to the prison infrastructure and the long-term implications for security remain unclear as the situation continues to unfold.