The clash between inmates from two drug gangs is Sri Lanka’s worst prison riot in more than five years
1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenAgence France-PressePublished: 6:05pm, 6 Jul 2026Clashes in a Sri Lankan jail have killed at least 23 people, including four guards, and wounded more than 100 in the worst prison riot in more than five years, officials said on Monday.
The wounded were rushed to the Negombo hospital, north of the capital Colombo, following overnight clashes between inmates from two drug gangs, police said.
Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath said 23 bodies were brought to her state-run health facility, and more than 100 wounded inmates and guards were also admitted.
“There are some victims with gunshot injuries, some with cuts and severe bruises,” Gamlath said.
Fighting began on Sunday evening at Negombo prison, which houses nearly 10,000 inmates, officials said.
As the reports of the fighting spread across the prison, women inmates at an adjoining section climbed on top of a roof and demanded their release on Sunday night.
