Phoenix 24
Violence between rival gangs overwhelms Negombo prison.
NEGOMBO, SRI LANKA — July 2026. At least 19 people were killed and more than 100 others injured after violent clashes erupted inside Negombo prison, north of Colombo. Authorities said the unrest began on Sunday night during a confrontation between inmates linked to two rival drug-trafficking gangs. Four prison officials were among those killed while attempting to contain the disturbance. The incident has become one of Sri Lanka’s deadliest prison riots in recent years.
The victims were taken to Negombo Hospital, where medical authorities confirmed the arrival of 19 bodies and more than 100 injured prisoners and officials. Some of those admitted reportedly suffered gunshot wounds, reflecting the intensity of the violence inside the facility. Residents living near the prison also reported hearing gunfire during the night. Medical teams continued treating casualties as authorities worked to establish the full scale of the incident.
Police commandos were called to the prison but were not immediately deployed inside the complex. Security forces instead used drones to monitor the situation as the unrest continued into Monday morning. Officials said the confrontation spiraled out of control as prison staff attempted to restore order. Large groups of relatives later gathered outside the facility seeking information about inmates.
Negombo prison reportedly operates under severe overcrowding, reflecting the wider pressure affecting Sri Lanka’s correctional system. The country’s prisons hold far more people than their intended capacity, placing sustained strain on personnel, security infrastructure and access to basic services. Authorities have not yet announced whether additional security measures or inmate transfers will follow the violence. An official investigation is expected to determine how the riot began and whether weapons entered the prison.
The incident has renewed concerns about chronic overcrowding, gang activity and institutional weaknesses inside Sri Lanka’s prisons. Previous disturbances have already exposed the vulnerability of facilities operating beyond their capacity. The latest deaths are likely to increase demands for accountability and comprehensive prison reform. For the families gathered outside Negombo prison, however, the immediate priority remains learning the fate of their relatives.
Negombo now faces grief, unanswered questions and demands for accountability.