A deadly clash at the Negombo prison, north of Sri Lanka's capital, resulted in approximately 25 fatalities and over 100 injuries, with unrest persisting from Sunday night into Monday morning. The violence, which began early Monday after a dispute between inmate groups during breakfast distribution in the male ward, saw prison officers attacked and inmates attempting to breach the main gate, leading to the use of force. Among the deceased were four prison guards and fifteen inmates, with over a hundred wounded inmates admitted to Negombo hospital. Authorities have since regained control and deployed additional security, highlighting the severe overcrowding in Sri Lankan prisons, which house 39,000 inmates in a system designed for only 10,000.

A deadly clash at the Negombo prison, north of Sri Lanka's capital, resulted in approximately 25 fatalities and over 100 injuries, with unrest persisting from Sunday night into Monday morning. The violence, which began early Monday after a dispute between inmate groups during breakfast distribution in the male ward, saw prison officers attacked and inmates attempting to breach the main gate, leading to the use of force. Among the deceased were four prison guards and fifteen inmates, with over a hundred wounded inmates admitted to Negombo hospital. Authorities have since regained control and deployed additional security, highlighting the severe overcrowding in Sri Lankan prisons, which house 39,000 inmates in a system designed for only 10,000.

A deadly clash at the Negombo prison, north of Sri Lanka's capital, resulted in approximately 25 fatalities and over 100 injuries, with unrest persisting from Sunday night into Monday morning. The violence, which began early Monday after a dispute between inmate groups during breakfast distribution in the male ward, saw prison officers attacked and inmates attempting to breach the main gate, leading to the use of force. Among the deceased were four prison guards and fifteen inmates, with over a hundred wounded inmates admitted to Negombo hospital. Authorities have since regained control and deployed additional security, highlighting the severe overcrowding in Sri Lankan prisons, which house 39,000 inmates in a system designed for only 10,000.

About 25 people have been killed, and more than 100 were injured after a deadly clash broke out at the prison in Negombo, north of the Sri Lankan capital, on Sunday night.

The unrest continued until Monday morning, local media police reported.

Among those killed were also five prison guards and 20 inmates, according to Negombo hospital director Pushpa Gamlath.

She said more than 100 wounded inmates had been admitted to the hospital. Eight persons who were seriously injured were transferred to Colombo National Hospital.

According to the Prison Media Spokesperson, Commissioner of Prisons, A.C. Gajanayake, the violence broke out in the early hours of Monday after a dispute erupted between groups of inmates. Prison officers who intervened were reportedly attacked and chased towards the prison's main entrance.

Some inmates reportedly attempted to break through the prison's main gate, which prompted the officer to use minimum force.

The dispute began when officers were distributing breakfast to the inmates. The altercation occurred in the male ward of the prison and was confined to the section, Adaderana reported.

Gajanayake told reporters that the dispute involved rival groups linked to organised crime and drug-related activities. While the female section was not involved directly, a separate protest was held by several female inmates.

Authorities regained control of the main entrance and contained the situation and additional security personnel have been deployed to the facilities.

The Negombo prison currently houses approximately 2,400 inmates, Gajanayake said.

Authorities are reportedly taking steps to transfer inmates to other prisons to diffuse the tensions, sources say.

Sri Lankan prisons are highly congested, with about 39,000 inmates crowded into a system with a capacity of just 10,000.

Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the violence at the prison.

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