Negombo Prison unrest causes over Rs. 100 Million in damage

Property damage caused by the July unrest at Negombo Prison has exceeded Rs. 100 million, while 31 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured.

The Department of Prisons said investigations into the incident are continuing.

The unrest took place on July 5 and 6, 2026, following a clash between two groups of inmates at Negombo Prison. A large amount of prison property and many inmate registration records were damaged during the incident.

A total of 31 people, including 21 inmates and 10 prison officers, were killed, while more than 100 others were injured.

Negombo Prison, which previously held around 2,400 inmates, currently houses only a little over 600 inmates.

The Department of Prisons said court proceedings involving some Negombo Prison inmates are now being conducted through online technology, while some inmates are being physically produced before courts.

Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F. U. Wootler said a report on the investigation conducted by prison authorities into inmates involved in the recent unrest at Kuruwita, Pallansena and Magazine prisons is expected to be received today (August 10).

One inmate was killed during the unrest at Magazine Prison on the night of August 6, while two inmates were killed during the unrest at Kuruwita Prison on August 7.

Sri Lanka Police also used tear gas on August 7 to control unrest involving inmates at the Pallansena Open Prison Camp in Dalupotha, Negombo.

Nearly 77 people were injured in the incidents at Kuruwita, Pallansena and Magazine prisons.

Post-mortem examinations on the two inmates who died during the unrest at Kuruwita Prison are scheduled to be conducted today (August 10).