Sri Lanka Prison Riots Kill 26, Spark Drug Trafficking Probe
A riot at Sri Lanka's Negombo Prison left 26 dead and over 100 injured after inmates seized guns from guards, with violence erupting over alleged drug trafficking within the overcrowded facility.
BBC reported on July 7 on developments in the riots at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka's coastal city since July 5, with death toll rising to at least 26—including 7 security personnel—and more than 100 injured. Local media reports the violence erupted from clashes between two inmate groups after one prisoner informed authorities about drug trafficking within the prison. Inmates subsequently seized firearms from guards and opened fire, killing 2 and wounding dozens. Male and female inmates from adjacent cell blocks then climbed onto the prison roof demanding their release. Violence flared again on Monday, July 6, after inmates attempted to breach the facility, prompting authorities to deploy reinforcements as multiple gunshots rang out from the prison. Police later reported 23 correctional staff and 54 inmates receiving medical care. Part of the prison roof collapsed during the unrest, causing additional casualties. The incident represents the most severe prison riot in years, eclipsing a December 2020 riot that killed 11 and injured 117. Sri Lanka's prisons currently hold 41,250 detainees—four times their designed capacity.
