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Sri Lanka probes prison riot as death toll rises to 27 Sri Lanka launched an investigation on Tuesday into its deadliest prison riot in years, as the death toll from clashes between rival drug gangs rose to 27. Armed police and commandos were not sent into the prison but were deployed to guard the perimeter of Negombo prison, as authorities tightened security following the clashes on Monday that also wounded more than 100. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told parliament on Tuesday that a criminal investigation had begun alongside a...

Sri Lanka's Deadliest Prison Riot Exposes a Correctional System Under ... A Tragedy Beyond Prison Walls Massacres rarely happen inside prisons by chance. Behind the bloody riots at Sri Lanka's Negombo Prison last week that left at least 26 inmates dead and more than 100 injured lies a long tale of structural flaws that have plagued the country's correctional institutions for decades, making it one of the bloodiest riots to occur inside a prison after the 2020 Mahara Prison riot. Although police investigations have suggested that rival drug gangs instigated the week-long riots, the prison unrest highlights Sri Lanka's dysfunctional penal system that successive regimes have failed to fix. The Negombo Prison riots, which spanned over two gruesome phases, claimed the lives of at least 26 inmates. The first bout of clashes between inmates serving life sentences and remand prisoners killed two inmates and injured dozens more. The bloodbath worsened the next morning, during breakfast time, when chaos ensued throughout the prison, leaving several inmates dead. Six prison officers who tried to quell the inmates were also killed. Organized Crime Behind Bars Rights groups have long accus…

What Triggered the Deadly Sri Lanka Prison Clashes? Inside the... What Triggered the Deadly Sri Lanka Prison Clashes? Inside the Negombo Riot That Left 25 Dead Deadly clashes between rival inmate groups at Negombo Prison have raised fresh concerns over overcrowding, prison security and alleged criminal networks operating inside Sri Lanka's correctional facilities. By Aastha Raj July 7, 2026 01:39 +08 Security forces secured Negombo Prison after a deadly two-day riot left 25 people dead, prompting an investigation into alleged drug trafficking, prison security lapses and inmate access to weapons. Wikimedia commons 25 dead, about 100 injured in one of Sri Lanka's deadliest prison riots. Rival inmate groups reportedly clashed over alleged drug trafficking. Investigation underway into how prisoners obtained weapons and security failures. A violent two-day riot at Sri Lanka's Negombo Prison has left at least 25 people dead and about 100 injured, turning it into one of the country's deadliest prison disturbances in years and putting a harsh spotlight on prison security, overcrowding and the criminal networks believed to operate behind bars. Officials say the trouble began with clashes b…

Sri Lanka prison riot kills 26, with more than 100 others wounded <p>Victims with cuts and gunshot injuries rushed to hospital after fighting between prisoners from two drug gangs</p><p>Clashes at a Sri Lankan jail have killed 26 people, including seven guards, and wounded more than 100 in the country’s deadliest prison riot in years, officials said.</p><p>Victims with cuts and gunshot injuries were rushed to Negombo hospital, north of the capital Colombo after overnight fighting between prisoners from two drug gangs, police said on Monday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/07/sri-lanka-prison-riot-death-toll-injuries">Continue reading...</a>

25 killed in violent clashes in Sri Lanka prison The violence has also injured around 100 others 25 killed in violent clashes in Sri Lanka prison By Chanshimla Varah Jul 06, 2026 02:19 pm What's the story Clashes at a prison in Sri Lanka have left at least 25 people dead, including five prison officials and 20 inmates. The violence has also injured around 100 others, according to the Ada Derana news outlet. The unrest started on Sunday between a group of remand prisoners and a group of convicted inmates serving sentences at the Negombo prison on the island nation's western coast. Security measures Soldiers deployed to restore order After the clashes broke out, the Sri Lankan government deployed soldiers to contain the situation as police "opened fire to control the clash between inmates and prison officers." The Negombo hospital has received the bodies of four prison guards and 15 inmates, hospital director Pushpa Gamlath told the AFP news agency on Monday. The prison houses nearly 10,000 inmates. Facebook Whatsapp Twitter Linkedin Advertisement

25 dead, 100 injured in clashes at Sri Lanka prison after inmates ... The death toll in the violent unrest at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka's western coastal town has risen to 25, authorities said on Monday. The violence began on Sunday when a clash broke out between two rival groups of inmates at the overcrowded prison, and fresh trouble was reported on Monday after rioting inmates seized prison guns. Hiru News, quoting authorities, reported that 19 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the clashes and the disturbances that followed inside the prison. Security was stepped up significantly, with the Police Special Task Force and riot control units deployed to bring the situation under control. According to preliminary findings, the violence is believed to have started between one group allegedly backing drug trafficking activities inside the prison and another group opposing such activities. As part of efforts to restore order and prevent further violence, three inmates were transferred to the Pallansena Prison Camp on Monday, authorities said. Prisons Department Media Spokesman AC Gajanayake said a special investigation had been launched into the incident. He said…

Sri Lanka prison riot kills 19, wounds more than 100 Negombo prison battle claims lives of guards and inmates, hospital reports Clashes in a Sri Lankan jail have killed at least 19 people, including four guards, and wounded more than 100 in the worst prison riot in more than five years, officials said Monday. The wounded were rushed to the Negombo hospital, north of the capital Colombo, following overnight clashes between inmates from two drug gangs, police said. Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath said 19 bodies were brought to her state-run health facility, and more than 100 wounded inmates and guards were also admitted. "There are some victims with gunshot injuries," Gamlath told AFP by telephone. Fighting began on Sunday evening at Negombo prison, which houses nearly 10,000 inmates, officials said. Police commandos have been called in, but were not deployed inside the prison. Large crowds of relatives of the inmates gathered outside the prison on Monday. Local residents said they heard gunshots, while authorities deployed drones to monitor the situation. "Four guards were killed when they tried to break up the rioting," a police official told AFP. "The situation got out …

Sri Lanka prison riot kills 23, wounds more than 100 Clashes in a Sri Lankan jail have killed at least 23 people, including four guards, and wounded more than 100 in the worst prison riot in more than five years, officials said on Monday. The wounded were rushed to the Negombo hospital, north of the capital Colombo, following overnight clashes between inmates from two drug gangs, police said. Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath said 23 bodies were brought to her state-run health facility, and more than 100 wounded inmates and guards were also...

Sri Lanka prison riot leaves 26 dead as gang violence sparks deadly ... COLOMBO (Web Desk) –A violent prison riot at Negombo Prison has left at least 26 people dead and more than 100 injured, marking one of Sri Lanka’s deadliest correctional facility incidents in recent years and raising renewed concerns about prison overcrowding, gang violence and institutional security. The clashes broke out inside the high-security prison after rival criminal groups allegedly engaged in fierce fighting that quickly spread across several sections of the facility. Authorities said the unrest escalated overnight, forcing prison officials and emergency services to launch a large-scale response to contain the violence and prevent a mass escape. Among those killed were inmates as well as prison guards who attempted to restore order during the disturbance. Officials said several victims suffered gunshot wounds while others sustained severe injuries caused by sharp weapons and physical assaults. Emergency medical teams rushed to the prison after authorities declared a crisis. Ambulances transported dozens of injured inmates and prison staff to nearby hospitals, where doctors worked through the night…

Dozens killed and more than 100 injured in Sri Lanka prison riot Victims with cuts and gunshot injuries have been rushed to hospital near the capital Colombo following the country's deadliest prison riot in years.

🚨 WARNELY SAFETY ALERT Colombo, Sri Lanka · Civil unrest Prison riot in Sri Lanka leaves dozens dead https://www.warnely.com/news/prison-riot-in-sri-lanka-leaves-dozens-dead-92dbbaf6-726a-4f2e-b28b-3b457f384e71?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=incident #WarnelyAlert #SriLanka

25 killed, 100 injured in clashes between two groups at prison in Sri Lanka The unrest began on Sunday at the prison in the coastal town of Negombo when convicted prisoners clashed with inmates who were being held on remand.

At least 23 people killed in Sri Lankan prison riot - Africanews At least 23 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in Sri Lanka's deadliest prison riot in over five years. The violence erupted overnight at Negombo Prison, north of the capital, Colombo, after clashes between rival drug gangs spiralled out of control. Among the dead are four prison guards who were killed while trying to stop the fighting. Hospital officials say many of the injured suffered gunshot wounds, cuts and severe bruising, while police and military forces were deployed to secure the prison. The unrest also spread to a women's wing, where inmates climbed onto the roof demanding their release. Part of the roof later collapsed, injuring several women. The riot has once again highlighted Sri Lanka's severe prison overcrowding. Official figures show the country's jails are holding more than 41,000 inmates, around four times their intended capacity.

Sri Lanka prison riot kills 25, wounds more than 100 The wounded were rushed to the Negombo hospital, about 35km north of the capital Colombo, following overnight clashes between inmates from two drug gangs at the area's main prison, police said.

At least 25 dead & 100 injured in Sri Lanka prison riots as violent ... Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Comment now AT least 25 people have reportedly been killed and more than 100 were left injured after a huge deadly brawl broke out at a prison in Sri Lanka. Violence erupted at the facility in Negombo on Sunday and continued overnight – with the victims including both inmates and guards. Sign up for The US Sun newsletter Thank you! 4 Ambulances were seen taking victims out of the prison Credit: Reuters 4 A huge brawl broke out overnight at a Sri Lankan prison Credit: Reuters Advertisement The massive clash reportedly claimed 25 lives according to local outlet Hiru. The Negombo hospital received the bodies of four prison guards and 15 inmates, its director Pushpa Gamlath said on Monday. It is not clear where the other six bodies have been taken to. Shocking footage showed the aftermath of the deadly ordeal, with injured and dead victims seen being taken out of the jail. Read More World News BANGED UP Inside World's Toughest Prisons crew evacuated as prisoner KILLED off camera ‘BLISTERING ANGER’ Tate reveals inmates brawl with gu…

At least 25 killed in Sri Lanka prison riots The two days of violence at Negombo Prison are the worst prison riots in the country in years.

Massive brawl at Sri Lanka prison leaves at least 26 dead, 77 hospitalized The death toll in Sri Lanka’s prison clash rose Tuesday to 26 — seven prison officials and 19 inmates, according to reports.

Deadly Prison Riot Kills Twenty-Five | Republican Caller Twenty-five people dying inside a packed Sri Lankan prison after inmates grabbed guns is a stark warning of what happens when broken systems are left to rot. Story Snapshot At least 25 people were killed and over 100 injured during violent clashes at Sri Lanka’s Negombo Prison. Rival drug gangs fought inside an overcrowded facility where inmates reportedly seized firearms from guards, turning the prison into a battleground. Confused and changing official tallies, plus silence on the exact cause, have fueled public distrust and questions about a cover-up. Years of documented overcrowding and neglect in Sri Lankan prisons show this tragedy is part of a larger global problem with how governments treat people in their custody. Deadly Prison Clashes And A System Under Strain Authorities and news outlets report that clashes at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka have left at least 25 people dead and more than 100 injured. Reports say the violence broke out between rival drug gangs held inside the same facility. During the chaos, some inmates are said to have seized guns, which pushed the fighting to a new and deadly level. International a…

Mohan Sinha09 Jul 2026, 01:05 GMT+10 COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: A riot in a prison in Sri Lanka that killed 26 people and injured dozens happened because of a fight between two groups over drug smuggling inside the jail, a senior official said on July 7. Authorities said that two days of violence between two groups of inmates at the prison in the coastal town of Negombo, about 35 km (20 miles) north of the commercial capital Colombo, left 26 people dead, including seven prison officials. Early investigations showed that the fight began when some prisoners gave information to prison officials about attempts to smuggle drugs into the prison, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara told parliament. He explained that this angered another group of inmates who supported the smuggling, leading to the clash. He added that when prison officials tried to stop the violence, the situation became worse. Prisoners attacked the officials using bricks and poles, and the officials fired in self-defense. He said it is still not clear how the prisoners got weapons, and investigations are continuing. Nanayakkara also said that a small group of prisoners managed to disable the …

Sri Lanka Prison Clash Turns Deadly: 26 Inmates Killed, Over 100 ... A violent clash between rival groups of inmates at a prison in Negombo, a coastal city on Sri Lanka’s western coast, has claimed 26 lives and left more than 100 people injured, according to officials. The incident, which unfolded over two consecutive days, is one of the deadliest prison riots reported in the country in recent years. The prison, located near the capital Colombo, houses around 1,800 inmates. Authorities said the violence began after tensions escalated between two groups of prisoners—one allegedly supporting the smuggling of illegal drugs into the prison and another opposing it. The confrontation quickly turned into a large-scale riot. During the initial violence, two inmates were killed and dozens sustained injuries. At least 34 seriously injured prisoners were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. However, fresh clashes erupted the following day, causing the death toll to rise sharply to 26. Officials confirmed that six prison officers were among those killed, while more than 100 people, including inmates and prison staff, were injured. Thirteen of the critically wounded were transfe…

Clashes in Sri Lankan prison leave 26 dead and dozens injured By PA News Agency Share 0 Comments 2 Skip to next photo 1 / 1 Show caption 1 / 1 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. The death toll in Sri Lanka’s prison clash rose to 26 on Tuesday, with authorities alleging the skirmish was linked to narcotic drugs and gang rivalries. But prison welfare groups said overcrowding and poor conditions had much to do with it, too. The unrest at the prison in Negombo, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, started between inmates on Sunday and turned violent on Monday after the inmates attacked the guards who intervened. Security personnel escort prisoners to a bus in the compound of a prison (AP) Officials said the inmates even tried to break through the main gate, but were stopped. Seven prison officials and 19 inmates have died, said officials. A further 77 people — 23 prison officials and 54 inmates — are still being treated in hospitals. On Tuesday, justice minister …

Violent clashes break out at Sri Lanka prison, at least 19 dead ... - WION At least 19 people were killed and over 50 injured after violent clashes erupted at a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The unrest, which began with a fight between inmate groups, escalated despite initial efforts to restore order. Prison officers and security personnel were among the casualties. A massive unrest in a prison in Sri Lankan city of Negombo has led to the death of at least 19 people, while over 50 are injured. The violent clashes began on Sunday (July 5) afternoon. Reportedly the trigger for the incident was a dispute over a prison drug trafficking operation. It started as an internal conflict between two rival groups of inmates—one supporting and one opposing the illicit trade. It escalated as inmates destroyed locks on special cells to attack rivals and broke into the prison pharmacy to steal and consume painkillers during the initial chaos. As situation worsened, direct confrontations with prison staff was also reported. Following this, Special Task Force (STF) units and riot control units were deployed which also resorted to open fire to contain the situation. Those who sustained injuries wer…

Deadly clashes break out at prison in Sri Lanka By: Bharatha Mallawarachi, The Associated Press Posted: 3:28 AM CDT Monday, Jul. 6, 2026 Last Modified: 3:55 AM CDT Monday, Jul. 6, 2026 Advertisement Advertise with us Tweet Share Print Email Read Later COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Deadly clashes broke out inside a prison in the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital, officials said on Monday. Read this article for free: or Already have an account? Log in here » We need your support! Local journalism needs your support! As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. Subscribe Now or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! To continue reading, please subscribe: Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional $1 for the first 4 weeks* Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com Read …

Prison clashes in Sri Lanka’s Negombo: At least 19 dead, 72 injured Preliminary findings have revealed that the violence is believed to have erupted between a group allegedly supporting drug trafficking activities within the prison and another group opposed to such activities

25 killed in Sri Lanka prison clash, around 100 injured Sri Lankan military has been asked to provide support after at least 25 people were killed and around 100 others injured in a clash between two groups of prisoners on Monday. The clashes began on Sunday between convicted prisoners and those ​under detention ​at the over-capacity prison ⁠in the Sri Lankan coastal town of Negombo, Reuters reported quoting sources. Victims include both inmates and prison officials, local television station Hiru reported. The prison is located about 35 km north of the commercial capital city of Colombo. While the trigger for the clashes isn’t immediately known, rioting inmates reportedly grabbed prison guns on Monday as the altercation turned deadly. Areas within the ⁠prison are ⁠still being cleared, and officials are working to count ⁠the ‌dead and the injured, police sources told Reuters. ​Army ​spokesman Brigadier ​Waruna Gamage told Reuters that “military has ​been requested to provide ‌support to the police but at the moment they are ‌on standby”. Visuals, including from Derana TV, showed a police bus carrying the injured inmates, ‌some ⁠of them sprawled on its floor amid ​heavy polic…

At least 19 people killed in Sri Lanka prison clashes This is a breaking news story.

Riot in Sri Lanka’s Negombo prison leaves at least 23 dead Personnel from Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force outside the Negombo prison near Colombo on Monday, following clashes between inmates and guards.

19 killed, hundreds wounded after clashes break out in Sri Lankan prison Tragic violence at Sri Lanka's Negombo prison has claimed 19 lives and injured 72, including security personnel. Clashes between rival inmate groups, reportedly over drug trafficking, escalated after prisoners seized firearms. Authorities have deployed special forces to restore order and launched multiple investigations into the deadly unrest. Security remains on high alert.

Sri Lanka prison riots leave 26 dead and more than 100 injured The two days of violence at Negombo Prison are the worst prison riots in the country in years.

Clashes in Sri Lankan prison leave at least 25 dead and over ... - SFGATE Security personnel stand guard outside a prison where deadly clashes broke out on Sunday, in Negombo, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 6, 2026. AP Photo/undefined A relative of an inmate breaks down outside a prison where deadly clashes broke out on Sunday, in Negombo, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 6, 2026. AP Photo/undefined Security personnel stand guard in the compound of a prison where deadly clashes broke out on Sunday, in Negombo, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 6, 2026. AP Photo/ A crowd of people wait outside a prison where deadly clashes broke out on Sunday, in Negombo, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 6, 2026. AP Photo/ Security personnel escort prisoners to a bus in the compound of a prison where deadly clashes broke out on Sunday, in Negombo, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 6, 2026. AP Photo/ COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Clashes broke out inside a prison in the outskir…

Drug smuggling info leak led to clashes in Sri Lankan prison that killed 26 The violence erupted over two days at the prison in the coastal town of Negombo, around 35 km north of Colombo.

Death Toll Rises to 27 in Negombo Prison Riot as Sri Lanka Launches ... General Death Toll Rises to 27 in Negombo Prison Riot as Sri Lanka Launches Judicial Inquiry 07 Jul 2026 By Lankanewspapers.com Local Read in: English සිංහල 1 Comment The death toll from a violent riot at Negombo Prison has climbed to 27, prompting Sri Lankan authorities to order a formal judicial investigation into one of the most deadly prison disturbances the country has witnessed in recent memory. Deadly Unrest Behind Bars The riot, which erupted at the Negombo remand facility located north of Colombo , quickly spiralled into a large- scale violent confrontation among inmates. The incident resulted in a significant loss of life, with the confirmed death toll reaching 27, while a number of other prisoners are reported to have sustained injuries during the chaos. Negombo Prison, which serves as a remand centre, has long faced serious concerns over overcrowding — a systemic problem plaguing Sri Lanka's prison network. Authorities are now under intense pressure to explain how the situation deteriorated so rapidly and with such fatal consequences. Government Orders Judicial Probe In response to the scale of the…

25 dead, nearly 100 injured in violent clashes between rival inmates at Sri Lanka prison Twenty-five people were killed and about 100 injured as security officials struggled to contain two days of ‌clashes between rival groups of inmates at a prison in Sri Lanka, authorities said on Monday, marking the deadliest such violence in years.

Sri Lanka prison riot kills 23, wounds more than 100 <p>Clashes in a Sri Lankan jail killed 23 people, including six guards, and wounded more than 100 in the country’s deadliest prison riot in years, officials said Monday.</p> <p>Victims with cuts and gunshot injuries were rushed to Negombo Hospital, north of the capital Colombo following overnight fighting between inmates from two drug gangs, police said.</p> <p>Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath said there were 23 bodies at the state-run facility, as well as more than 100 wounded inmates and guards from Negombo Prison.</p> <p>“There are some victims with gunshot injuries, some with cuts and severe bruises,” Gamlath told <em>AFP</em> by telephone.</p> <p>“We transfered 18 of the more seriously wounded to the Colombo National hospital.”</p> <p>Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara expressed “profound shock and grief”, and said authorities were working to separate the rival gangs in the prison.</p> <p>“Whether they were inmates, or associated with the underworld, is not relevant to us at this moment,” Nanayakkara told reporters in Colombo.</p> <p>“Human beings have died, and there is a deep shock regarding that. This is something tha…

Sri Lanka prison clashes leave dozens dead More than two dozen people have died and over 100 injured following a violent dispute between different prison populations in Negombo.

Sri Lanka plans to convert a disused hospital building into a new prison facility, the justice ministry announced on July 8 following a deadly riot at an overcrowded jail that left 20 inmates and eight guards dead. The deadly violence has intensified scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s chronically overcrowded jails, with official figures showing prisons were operating at roughly four times their intended capacity,News.Azreports, citingHurriyet Daily News. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara issued an order to take over a section of the disused hospital in the island’s south to accommodate inmates from other facilities. “We need to set up security measures and other essentials to start the new prison at Mahamodara in Galle District,” a ministry official told AFP, without providing a specific timeline. The decision comes days after Sri Lanka’s deadliest prison riot in years, which saw clashes break out on July 5 between rival gangs at Negombo Prison, north of the capital Colombo. The violence killed 28 people and wounded more than 100 others, some of whom remain in critical condition. A U.N. statement issued in Colombo following the deadly riot said that “overcrowding, outdated practices…