Beyond The Riot: What The Negombo Prison Riot Reveals About Sri Lanka's Correctional System

Sri Lanka President holds urgent prison talks after Negombo incident

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has held extensive discussions with senior prison officials on urgent measures to address challenges in Sri Lanka’s prison system and prevent incidents similar to the recent unrest at Negombo Prison. The meeting was held this afternoon (July 17) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, with the participation of Superintendents of Prisons, Jailers and other officers of the Department of Prisons. The…

Beyond The Riot: What The Negombo Prison Riot Reveals About Sri Lanka's Correctional System

By Padma Bandaranayake – Dr. Padma Bandaranayake In the aftermath of deadly Negombo Prison riot, many suggestions were put forward to address underlying issues and prevent similar riots occurring in Sri Lankan Prisons. In November 2012, a riot broke out at Welikada prison when search operation was carried out for illegal arms leaving 27 dead and 40 injured. Similar prison riots occurred at previous instances when tensions escalated at several pr…