Clashes in Sri Lanka Prisons Result in 26 Deaths
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Recent clashes at prisons in Sri Lanka have led to 26 fatalities, consisting of seven officers and 19 inmates. The unrest is reportedly tied to drug-related issues and gang conflicts; however, prison welfare organizations argue that overcrowding and inadequate conditions are also significant factors.
The disturbances in Negombo Prison, located around 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Colombo, erupted among inmates on Sunday and intensified on Monday. The situation escalated when inmates attacked guards, who attempted to intervene. At one point, an effort was made by inmates to breach the main gate, but they were halted.
Currently, an additional 77 individuals, including 23 prison staff and 54 inmates, are being treated in hospitals for their injuries.
On Tuesday, Law Minister Harshana Nanayakkara addressed Parliament, suggesting that the conflicts stemmed from rival gangs engaged in the drug trade. He indicated that initial assaults targeted inmates who had acted as informants, followed by attacks on prison staff.
“Most of the fatalities among prison staff occurred because they were attacked by inmates. These guards have faced relentless assaults with bricks and clubs,” he remarked. In response, prison officers reportedly used their firearms for self-defense and to restore order.
The minister did not elaborate on the specific causes of death or the nature of injuries sustained during the events.
He noted that some firearms made their way into the hands of inmates, used subsequently to fire at guards. “We need to find out how those weapons were obtained, whether from our armory or from the guards themselves,” he said.
During the unrest, some inmates reportedly damaged surveillance cameras and body scanners, aiming to facilitate the entry of contraband into the prison.
Approximately 734 inmates involved in the chaos have been relocated to different facilities.
In addition to a police investigation and an internal probe by the prisons department, a committee led by a former judge will be formed to examine the events. The committee will investigate whether security oversights or overcrowding contributed to the incidents.
On Tuesday, local media showed a large crowd of relatives outside prisons and hospitals, anxiously seeking news about their loved ones. Many were visibly distraught.
In a bid to enhance security, additional troops and armored vehicles have been deployed around the prison.
Sri Lanka’s prison system faces severe overcrowding, with over 39,000 inmates housed in facilities designed for just 10,000.
Senaka Perera, chairman of the Prisoners’ Rights Commission, emphasized that the lack of adequate inmate welfare and overcrowded conditions keep inmates in a high state of agitation, making any triggering issue potentially explosive.
Negombo Prison is originally built for 650 inmates but was accommodating around 2,600 at the time of the clashes.
Perera pointed out that while drug-related violence exists within the prison, it appears that the government is using public anxiety about drugs to downplay other significant concerns like overcrowding. He also mentioned that inmates have been increasingly affected by dengue fever, attributed to insufficient medical care.
The ongoing lack of transparency regarding the events and the dissemination of information to affected families appears to be intensifying public outrage.
