23 Killed, Over 100 Injured in Sri Lanka’s Deadliest Prison Riot in Years

VoM News Desk | July 7, 2026 | 12:31 AM IST | Breaking News, World | Follow on Google News

23 Killed, Over 100 Injured in Sri Lanka’s Deadliest Prison Riot in Years

COLOMBO, July 6 [VoM News]: At least 23 people, including four prison guards, were killed and more than 100 others injured after violent clashes erupted between rival inmate groups at a prison in Sri Lanka’s Negombo city, authorities said on Monday.

According to officials, the fighting broke out on Sunday evening between inmates linked to two rival drug gangs inside the overcrowded Negombo Prison. The violence escalated overnight, prompting authorities to deploy police commandos and tighten security around the facility.

Hospital officials said the victims suffered gunshot wounds, cuts and other serious injuries. The wounded, including inmates and prison staff, were admitted to a nearby state-run hospital for treatment.

During the unrest, women inmates housed in an adjoining section climbed onto the prison roof demanding their release. A portion of the roof later collapsed, injuring several of them.

Large crowds of relatives gathered outside the prison as security forces monitored the area using drones and a helicopter. Local residents reported hearing repeated gunfire during the violence.

Officials said four prison guards were killed while attempting to contain the clashes.

The incident is Sri Lanka’s deadliest prison riot in more than five years. In 2020, 11 inmates were killed during unrest at another prison amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Official figures show Sri Lanka’s prisons currently house more than 41,000 inmates around four times their intended capacity highlighting the country’s long-standing overcrowding crisis.

VoM News Desk

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