Sri Lanka prison riot: 25 dead, 100 injured as inmates loot armoury in Negombo amid drug gang clash

At least 25 people were killed and over 100 others injured following two consecutive days of violence in Sri Lanka's Negombo Prison. The prison riot, according to officials, is linked to drug gang clashes in Negombo on Sri Lanka’s western coast.

What began on Sunday as a localised brawl between rival inmate factions exploded into full-blown rioting by Monday morning after prisoners breached the facility's armoury, and seizing firearms. The authorities then opened fire to regain control of the severely overcrowded correctional facility.

How a prison drug feud spiralled into chaos

According to preliminary police intelligence, the violence erupted around 1:00 pm on Sunday afternoon inside the prison blocks, which currently house approximately 2,417 inmates.

The initial clash broke out between a powerful faction of remand prisoners allegedly running and supporting drug trafficking networks from inside the cells, and a rival group of convicted inmates strongly opposing their operations. Brandishing improvised weapons, the two sides engaged in a brutal hand-to-hand brawl that left two inmates dead and nearly 38 others injured by Sunday evening.

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The chaos compounded overnight when a secondary faction of prisoners mounted a roof protest atop one of the facility’s older structures to demand better security. The building's roof structurally collapsed under their weight, seriously injuring four inmates who fell from the rafters.

While jail superintendents believed the situation had stabilised by dawn on Monday, fresh unrest flared up. Heavily armed with tools looted from maintenance sheds, rioting inmates managed to overpower guards and storm the main prison armory.

With prisoners firing automatic weapons into the courtyards, the conflict took a fatal turn for prison personnel. Authorities have confirmed that three prison officers were killed in the line of duty during the initial breach.

In response, the Sri Lankan government launched a massive joint military and police operation. Hundreds of commandos from the elite Police Special Task Force (STF), riot control units, and regular Sri Lankan Army troops were deployed into the compound, using tear gas and live ammunition to suppress the armed uprising.

Speaking to the press in Colombo, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara announced that an immediate, independent magisterial inquiry has been launched.