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One prisoner was killed and six others were injured in a riot at Mahara Prison near Colombo on Saturday. The incident has renewed concerns over severe overcrowding in Sri Lanka's prison system, which is operating at nearly four times its intended capacity.
Mariyam Adheela
Military personnel patrol outside at the Mahara Prison complex on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Colombo – Sri Lanka: A prisoner was killed and six others were injured after a riot broke out at Mahara Prison, located on the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, on Saturday.
Police said additional security forces were deployed to contain the situation, including Special Task Force (STF) commandos to secure the prison perimeter, while military personnel were stationed outside the facility. The injured inmates were taken to hospital, where one later died.
The incident comes about a month after another deadly prison riot in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of 21 inmates and 10 prison officers. The latest violence has renewed concerns over security and overcrowding in the country’s prisons.
Mahara Prison has witnessed similar unrest before. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a riot at the same prison left 11 inmates dead and more than 100 others injured, prompting the government to release hundreds of prisoners to ease overcrowding.
According to official figures, Sri Lanka’s prisons are operating at nearly four times their intended capacity. Authorities have announced plans to convert unused government buildings into prison facilities as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding.
