25 killed in Sri Lanka’s deadly inmate clash, prison officials likely among dead

Visuals showed a police bus carrying the injured inmates, ‌some ⁠of them sprawled on its floor amid ​heavy police deployment outside the gate ⁠of the prison.

Sri Lankan military has been asked to provide support after at least 25 people were killed and around 100 others injured in a clash between two groups of prisoners on Monday.

The clashes began on Sunday between convicted prisoners and those ​under detention ​at the over-capacity prison ⁠in the Sri Lankan coastal town of Negombo, Reuters reported quoting sources.

Victims include both inmates and prison officials, local television station Hiru reported.

The prison is located about 35 km north of the commercial capital city of Colombo.

While the trigger for the clashes isn’t immediately known, rioting inmates reportedly grabbed prison guns on Monday as the altercation turned deadly.

Areas within the ⁠prison are ⁠still being cleared, and officials are working to count ⁠the ‌dead and the injured, police sources told Reuters.

​Army ​spokesman Brigadier ​Waruna Gamage told Reuters that “military has ​been requested to provide ‌support to the police but at the moment they are ‌on standby”.

Visuals, including from Derana TV, showed a police bus carrying the injured inmates, ‌some ⁠of them sprawled on its floor amid ​heavy police deployment outside the gate ⁠of the prison.

While Sri Lankan authorities are conducting investigations, initial reports suggest the violence erupted between a group of inmates allegedly supporting drug trafficking activities inside the prison and another opposing it.

Security has been strengthened around the prison, with the Special Task Force (STF) deployed to prevent further violence. Three inmated involved in the clash have been transferred to the Pallansena Prison Camp. AC Gajanayaka, Prisons Department Media spokesperson, said a special investigation team has been constituted on the instructions of the Commissioner General of Prisons to determine the circumstances and cause of the incident.

Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law, has sought a detailed report on the prison violence.

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Sri Lankan military has been asked to provide support after at least 25 people were killed and around 100 others injured in a clash between two groups of prisoners on Monday.

The clashes began on Sunday between convicted prisoners and those ​under detention ​at the over-capacity prison ⁠in the Sri Lankan coastal town of Negombo, Reuters reported quoting sources.

Victims include both inmates and prison officials, local television station Hiru reported.

The prison is located about 35 km north of the commercial capital city of Colombo.

While the trigger for the clashes isn’t immediately known, rioting inmates reportedly grabbed prison guns on Monday as the altercation turned deadly.

Areas within the ⁠prison are ⁠still being cleared, and officials are working to count ⁠the ‌dead and the injured, police sources told Reuters.

​Army ​spokesman Brigadier ​Waruna Gamage told Reuters that “military has ​been requested to provide ‌support to the police but at the moment they are ‌on standby”.

Visuals, including from Derana TV, showed a police bus carrying the injured inmates, ‌some ⁠of them sprawled on its floor amid ​heavy police deployment outside the gate ⁠of the prison.

While Sri Lankan authorities are conducting investigations, initial reports suggest the violence erupted between a group of inmates allegedly supporting drug trafficking activities inside the prison and another opposing it.

Security has been strengthened around the prison, with the Special Task Force (STF) deployed to prevent further violence. Three inmated involved in the clash have been transferred to the Pallansena Prison Camp. AC Gajanayaka, Prisons Department Media spokesperson, said a special investigation team has been constituted on the instructions of the Commissioner General of Prisons to determine the circumstances and cause of the incident.

Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law, has sought a detailed report on the prison violence.