Prison Riot Leads to 103 Casualties After Inmates Destroy CCTV

Armed military and police personnel have been deployed in large numbers in front of the prison building.

Gunshots are heard, and shortly after, injured individuals are carried out of the building.

A riot broke out inside a prison in the coastal city of Negombo, Sri Lanka, on the evening of July 5, local time.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Justice stated that the initial clash occurred between inmates belonging to two rival gangs involved in illegal drug trafficking, and the violence continued until the following day.

[Harshana Nanayakkara / Sri Lankan Minister of Justice: The inmates destroyed the entire CCTV system. Their goal was to completely paralyze the functions of this prison.]

Sri Lankan authorities deployed military troops to suppress the riot, but it is reported that 26 people, including 7 prison guards, were killed and 77 were injured during the clashes and the suppression operation.

Some of the casualties reportedly suffered gunshot wounds, and many others sustained lacerations from bladed weapons.

Prison officials stated that some inmates attempted to escape during the chaotic situation but were thwarted.

Outside the prison, families of the inmates gathered to demand confirmation of their loved ones' safety while also voicing their frustrations regarding injustices in Sri Lankan society.

[Kumudini / Inmate's family member: The people who sell drugs are walking around outside, while only the users are in prison. Why are you doing such unfair things?]

Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that some weapons belonging to prison guards had fallen into the hands of inmates, but stated that the entire prison is now under control.

An investigation team led by a former Supreme Court justice has been formed to look into the riot, and the investigation is expected to include the link between the riot and the severe overcrowding in the prison, which holds four times its capacity.

Video by Jo Mu-hwan
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.