At the heart of Sri Lanka’s coastal province, the Negombo Prison became a flashpoint for violence when inmates seized firearms and launched a two‑day riot that killed 26 people—13 inmates and 13 guards—and left more than 180 injured.
The unrest began on Sunday when armed inmates clashed, forcing security teams to intervene. By Monday, the situation escalated as prisoners attempted to breach the prison gates, firing multiple shots inside the compound. An alleged informant regarding a drug trafficking network further inflamed tensions among the inmates.
Emergency services evacuated victims to Negombo Hospital and Colombo National Hospital, where many were treated for bullet wounds or severe bruises. A portion of the prison’s roof collapsed during the turmoil, injuring women who had joined the riot from a nearby unit.
Police have declared the prison area on a partial lockdown, calling in military support to secure clear‑out operations. Governor AC Gajanayake ordered the transfer of affected inmates to other facilities while the Justice Minister has tasked officials with a full investigation and forthcoming report.
With an inmate population of 41,250—four times the prison’s capacity—the event marks the worst prison violence Sri Lanka has witnessed in years, following a similar outbreak in 2020 that claimed 11 lives and injured 117.
