Home / Crime and Justice / Sri Lanka Prison Riot: 26 Dead, 100+ Wounded in Gang Violence
Sri Lanka Prison Riot: 26 Dead, 100+ Wounded in Gang Violence
7 Jul
Summary
- Twenty-six people, including seven guards, died in clashes at a Sri Lankan jail.
- Over 100 prisoners and guards sustained injuries from cuts and gunshots.
- The violence erupted between two drug gangs within the overcrowded prison.
A devastating prison riot in Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of 26 individuals, with more than 100 others sustaining injuries. The violence, which erupted on Sunday evening, involved rival drug gangs and tragically resulted in the deaths of seven guards who attempted to intervene.
Victims were found with gunshot wounds and severe lacerations, necessitating urgent medical attention at local hospitals, with some of the most critically injured transferred to Colombo. The Justice minister expressed profound shock and grief over the loss of life.
In response to the unrest, the government has initiated a comprehensive investigation, appointing a three-member team led by a retired supreme court justice. The prison, housing thousands, is reportedly holding detainees at four times its intended capacity, a situation exacerbated by overcrowding issues.
During the riots, female inmates in an adjacent section climbed onto a roof to protest, leading to a partial collapse and injuries among them. Drones and a helicopter were deployed to monitor the situation outside the prison as anxious relatives gathered.
