Key facts
- A riot occurred at Sri Lanka's Negombo prison on Sunday evening.
- The riot involved clashes between inmates from two drug gangs.
- At least 19 inmates died in the violence.
- Over 100 inmates were injured.
- Four prison guards were among the injured.
- Negombo prison houses nearly 10,000 inmates.
Clashes between inmates from two rival drug gangs at Sri Lanka's Negombo prison on Sunday evening led to a deadly riot, claiming at least 19 lives and injuring over 100 individuals. Among the injured were four prison guards who were caught in the crossfire. The violence erupted at the Negombo prison, a facility that currently houses approximately 10,000 inmates. The high inmate population at Negombo prison is a significant factor contributing to the tense conditions within the facility. The exact circumstances leading to the initial confrontation between the drug gangs remain under investigation, but the resulting violence underscores the challenges faced by Sri Lankan correctional facilities in managing inmate populations and controlling gang activity.