At least 25 prisoners have been killed and approximately 100 others injured following violent clashes between two groups of inmates at a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, according to two police sources and a hospital source who spoke to Reuters. The unrest began on Sunday, July 6, when convicted prisoners and those held on remand turned on each other at the coastal facility, located roughly 35 kilometres north of Colombo. The confrontation continued into Monday, with the cause yet to be established.
Details of the Violence
Police sources confirmed that sections of the prison remained unsecured as officials worked to determine the full scale of casualties among both the dead and the wounded. Army spokesman Brigadier Waruna Gamage said the military had been called in to assist but had not yet been deployed. 'Military has been requested to provide support to the police but at the moment they are on standby,' he told Reuters.
Footage Shows Police Presence
Footage broadcast by Derana TV showed a significant police presence stationed outside the prison gates. A police bus was seen departing the compound carrying injured inmates, with some lying on the floor of the vehicle. The situation remains tense as authorities continue to clear the prison areas and account for all casualties.
Impact and Response
The Negombo facility holds both convicted prisoners and detainees awaiting trial. The exact number of inmates in the prison at the time of the clashes is not immediately known. Military personnel have been placed on standby to support police operations, but as of now, they have not been deployed. The prison is located in a coastal town popular with tourists, about 35 km north of Colombo.
