Sri Lanka boosts prison security after riot kills one
Sri Lanka tightened security across its prisons on Sunday after a riot left one person dead and six injured, an official said, as the nation struggles to manage its overcrowded jails.
Sri Lanka has increased security measures in its prisons following a riot that resulted in one death and six injuries, officials revealed on Sunday. The outbreak of violence occurred at the Mahara prison, located approximately 15 km from Colombo, the capital city, on Saturday. During the riot, inmates damaged various structures, including the hospital, training center, and kitchen, as well as set fire to administrative offices and burned records inside the prison complex. Prisoners also climbed onto rooftops during family visiting hours, escalating the situation.
The Mahara prison currently houses about 4,100 inmates, which is roughly four times its capacity. This overcrowding mirrors a widespread issue across Sri Lanka's prison system, where over 41,000 convicted inmates are held in 22 facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 11,000. Additionally, thousands of remand prisoners who have not been convicted are also incarcerated within these facilities.
Earlier this month, in early July, a prison in the coastal town of Negombo witnessed two days of intense fighting between rival inmate groups, resulting in the death of ten prison officials and 20 prisoners. This incident marked Sri Lanka's most severe riot since 2012, prompting police special forces, military, and navy personnel to intervene to restore order.
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sajeewa Medawatta stated that increased security measures have been implemented at major prisons, especially those near Colombo, including the Negombo facility.
To manage the aftermath of the riot at Mahara prison, prison officials moved inmates to holding cells and provided them with food and water. The deployment of the air force's helicopter and drones over the prison grounds helped control the chaos. Dozens of individuals, including relatives of inmates, gathered outside the prison on Saturday evening, and a police curfew was imposed in three nearby villages to maintain order. The curfew was lifted by midday on Sunday.
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