Home / Crime and Justice / Sri Lanka Prison Riot: 1 Dead, 6 Hurt Amid Overcrowding Crisis
Sri Lanka Prison Riot: 1 Dead, 6 Hurt Amid Overcrowding Crisis
2 Aug
Summary
- A riot at Mahara prison on Saturday resulted in one death and six injuries.
- The prison was holding over 4,100 inmates, significantly exceeding its capacity.
- Security was heightened across Sri Lankan prisons following the deadly incident.
A riot at Sri Lanka's Mahara prison on Saturday has resulted in one fatality and six injuries, prompting an intensified security presence across the nation's correctional facilities.
The incident unfolded during visiting hours, with inmates initiating the unrest by climbing onto roofs and setting fire to prison buildings, including administrative offices and the on-site hospital. Police and military forces were deployed to regain control, with the air force utilizing helicopters and drones.
Mahara prison, located near Colombo, was severely overcrowded, holding approximately 4,100 inmates, which is about four times its capacity. This situation mirrors a broader crisis in Sri Lanka, where 22 facilities hold over 41,000 inmates against a combined capacity of about 11,000.
Earlier this year, a clash at Negombo prison in July led to 30 deaths, marking the country's worst prison violence since 2012. Authorities have since reinforced security at major prisons, particularly those near Colombo.
