A deadly riot in Sri Lanka’s Negombo Prison has left 28 people dead, including a 73-year-old Indian national, Unnikrishnan S., officials confirmed on Wednesday (July 8, 2026). The violence, which erupted on Sunday (July 5), also injured over 100 inmates and prison staff, with one officer succumbing to injuries.
Sri Lanka prison riot: Death toll and transfers
The riot, one of the worst in Sri Lanka’s history, began as a clash between rival gangs over an alleged drug operation inside the facility. Authorities transferred nearly 1,200 prisoners from Negombo to other facilities, including Angunakolapelessa, Boosa, and Welikada, to ensure safety. However, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reported allegations of torture and ill-treatment of transferred inmates, including one death in Welikada custody.
India’s High Commission in Colombo has not issued an official statement but confirmed sending a note verbale to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry. Indian nationals previously held at Negombo Prison were relocated, though details on charges or numbers remain undisclosed.
Systemic issues in Sri Lanka’s prison system
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged "longstanding problems" in Sri Lanka’s prisons, including chronic overcrowding and resource shortages. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka called the riot a symptom of "structural deficiencies" in the criminal justice system, emphasizing that inmates retain fundamental rights.
Sri Lanka’s last major prison riot occurred in 2020 at Mahara Prison, where 11 inmates died. In 2012, a riot at Welikada Prison resulted in 27 inmate deaths after police intervention. Authorities are investigating the latest allegations of abuse, with a senior official stating, "We are taking these concerns very seriously."
