Sri Lanka Prison Riots Claim at Least 25 Lives

Tue Sep 29 2026 07:51:49 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

At least 25 people, including four guards, died in two days of unrest at Negombo Prison, Sri Lanka, after inmates seized weapons amid a drug‑trafficking dispute.

The violent clashes at Negombo Prison over two days left more than 25 people dead and over 100 injured. Inmates reportedly seized guns, fought over a drug‑trafficking investigation, climbed rooftops and attempted to breach gates, prompting a heavy security response. A collapsed roof injured female inmates while injured victims were taken to local hospitals. Authorities are clearing the complex, deploying the military, and plans are underway to transfer inmates to other facilities.

Sri Lanka Prison Riots Claim at Least 25 Lives

At least 25 people, including four guards, were killed and more than 100 injured during violent clashes at Negombo Prison over two days. The unrest began when inmates allegedly seized prison firearms, claimed over a drug‑trafficking investigation, and fought between factions. Inmates and women from a nearby unit took to the roof demanding release. On Monday, inmates tried to breach gates, prompting security forces to be deployed and leading to gunfire inside.

Packed prisons may have contributed to the violence, with Sri Lanka’s facilities holding over four times their capacity. Hospitals in Negombo and Colombo treated victims of bullet wounds, cuts, and severe bruises. The prison roof collapsed during riots, injuring some women who were on the roof.

Police and the national police force are clearing the area together with the army on standby. The Prisons Commissioner has ordered inmate transfers to other facilities and the Minister of Justice has instructed a full investigation.