Sri Lanka Prison Riot Kills 27
Authorities said rival drug gangs sparked the violence, and investigators are examining overcrowding and security lapses as possible contributing factors.
- Violent clashes at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka killed 25 people and injured 72 over the weekend and into Monday, July 6, 2026, including four prison officers.
- Fighting began between two rival drug gangs, with preliminary findings suggesting the unrest stemmed from conflicts over trafficking activities within the severely overcrowded facility housing nearly 10,000 inmates.
- Negombo General Hospital Director Pushpa Gamlath reported many victims arrived with severe gunshot wounds after security personnel opened fire to disperse rioting inmates.
- Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara ordered a detailed report on the incident, while the Police Special Task Force deployed to secure the area as investigations commenced.
- Authorities transferred three inmates to the Pallansena Prison Camp on Monday to restore order, as Sri Lanka grapples with 41,250 prisoners—four times the system's actual capacity.
182 Articles
182 Articles
Families mourn 26 killed in deadly Sri Lanka prison riot
Dularika Perera, 38, only found out her cousin was among 26 people killed in the worst Sri Lankan prison riot in years when his photo was sent to her on WhatsApp. The seven prison officials and 19 prisoners died in two days of fighting between two groups of inmates at…
Death toll in Sri Lanka's prison clash rises to 26, with a further 77 in hospital
The death toll in Sri Lanka’s prison clash rose Tuesday to 26 — seven prison officials and 19 inmates — with authorities alleging the skirmish was linked to narcotic drugs and gang rivalries but prison welfare groups saying overcrowding and poor conditions had much to do with it, too.
Observador
IOL PortugalThe arrests in Sri Lanka are overcrowded and recent clashes in Negombo prison have led to the army's detachment around the prison. There have been attempts to escape and dozens of wounded.
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