Key facts
- Twenty-six people, including seven prison officials and 19 inmates, died in a riot at Negombo prison in Sri Lanka.
- The violence occurred between two groups of inmates and escalated over two days.
- The riot is believed to have started after information about drug smuggling efforts was leaked to prison officials.
- Six prison officials were killed while attempting to stop inmates from escaping.
- The prison, designed for 650 inmates, was severely overcrowded with approximately 2,400 prisoners.
A violent clash between inmate groups at Sri Lanka's Negombo prison has resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including seven prison officials and 19 prisoners. The riot, which began Sunday and escalated Monday, is the deadliest prison incident in the country in years.
Relatives, like Dularika Perera, learned of their loved ones' deaths through photos shared on social media. Sergeant S.D.S Abeywardana, 41, was among the prison officials killed while attempting to prevent inmates from escaping. He was part of a special unit deployed to the prison to address corruption and drug trafficking.
Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara informed parliament that initial investigations suggest the fight erupted after prisoners leaked information about drug smuggling operations to prison officials. The Negombo prison is severely overcrowded, housing approximately 2,400 inmates despite a capacity for only 650.