Sri Lanka Prison Riots Leave 26 Dead, Over 100 Injured

Sun Sep 06 2026 12:39:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A two‑day riot at Negombo Prison killed 26 people—including guards—and injured more than 100, prompting a national review of prison overcrowding and security.

The violent clash began when inmates overpowered guards at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka, leading to a two‑day crisis. Over 26 deaths, including seven guards, and more than 100 injuries were recorded, as armed standoffs and gunfire shocked the facility. The unrest was fueled by disputes over an informant tied to a drug trafficking channel inside the prison. Officials are now investigating the incident amid concerns over the prison’s four‑fold overcapacity and past violent episodes.

Negombo Prison Riot: 26 Dead, 100+ Injured

On Sunday, clashes broke out inside Negombo Prison, a coastal facility north of Colombo. Two days of violence culminated in 26 fatalities, seven of whom were prison guards, and more than a hundred injuries.

Army guard outside Sri Lanka prison during riot

The initial fights began when inmates seized guards’ guns. The situation escalated when prisoners, including women from a nearby unit, occupied rooftops and demanded release. Police reports noted that a roof collapsed during the chaos, heightening injuries among female inmates.

A trigger cited by authorities was a dispute over an informant who was reporting a drug trafficking operation inside the prison. Casualties involved both inmates and staff, and more than a dozen prisoners were shot. Current figures point to 23 prison officers and 54 inmates still receiving treatment.

Negombo Hospital treated many wounded, reporting bullet wounds and severe bruises.

Colombo National Hospital also received detainees with cuts and other injuries.

Military forces were on standby after police requested assistance.

Prisons Commissioner AC Gajanayake announced plans to transfer inmates to other facilities.

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara ordered an investigation and a formal report.

These riots rank among the worst in years. In December 2020, a separate prison incident killed 11 people and caused 117 injuries. Sri Lankan prisons currently hold 41,250 inmates—four times the official capacity—according to AFP. The incident has reignited global discussions concerning crowded prisons, security protocols and the treatment of inmates around the world.