Key facts
- Sri Lanka deployed troops to Mahara Prison to quell a riot.
- The riot resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
- Prisoners damaged several buildings within the Mahara prison complex.
- The riot began during family visiting hours.
- Mahara Prison is severely overcrowded, holding about 4,100 inmates against a capacity of roughly 11,000 across the country's facilities.
- Security has been increased at major prisons across Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka deployed troops to Mahara Prison to quell a riot that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, with authorities tightening security across the nation's correctional facilities. The riot, which began during family visiting hours, saw prisoners damage several buildings, including the hospital, training center, and kitchen. Mahara Prison is severely overcrowded, housing approximately 4,100 inmates against a national prison capacity of about 11,000. This incident follows a deadly clash in early July at a prison in Negombo, which resulted in the deaths of 10 prison officials and 20 inmates.