Clashes in Sri Lankan prison leave at least 25 dead, mostly inmates

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By BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI

Associated Press

Published: July 6, 2026 astatine 4:24 AM

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Clashes broke retired wrong a situation successful the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital, sidesplitting astatine slightest 25 people, astir of them inmates, and injuring much than 100, officials said Monday.

The unrest astatine the situation successful Negombo, astir 35 kilometers (22 miles) northbound of the capital, Colombo, started among inmates connected Sunday, and erstwhile guards attempted to intervene connected Monday, “they (inmates) started attacking the situation officials,” situation spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said.

He told reporters that immoderate inmates attempted to flight but were stopped.

An authoritative astatine the main state-run infirmary successful the country said 7 situation officials and 18 inmates had died portion different 43 were being treated for injuries. He spoke connected information of anonymity due to the fact that helium was not authorized to talk to the media. Three different hospitals were besides treating dozens of injured, helium said.

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the archetypal clash erupted betwixt 2 rival gangs connected to the amerciable cause trade. After the authorities restored bid connected Monday evening, Nanayakkara said the inmates who led the unit were transferred to 2 different prisons.

Army troops were besides deployed astir the prison.

Sri Lankan prisons are highly congested, with much than 39,000 inmates crowded into a strategy with a full capableness of conscionable 10,000.

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