The death toll from the violent clashes at Negombo Prison has risen to 26, Minister of Justice and National Integration Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara announced.
According to the Minister, the fatalities include seven prison officers and 19 inmates.
Among the deceased prison personnel are a Jailer, a Chief Jail Guard, and several prison guards.
The Minister also revealed that 23 prison officers and 54 inmates remain hospitalized following the incident. Of those injured, 18 critically wounded individuals have been transferred to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo for specialized treatment.
Authorities further stated that inmates involved in the unrest completely destroyed the prison's CCTV surveillance system and body scanner, causing significant damage to prison infrastructure.
According to the preliminary investigation, those responsible had attempted to disrupt the operations of the prison. As part of immediate security measures, several inmates believed to have played a leading role in the violence have been transferred to Angunakolapelessa and Welikada prisons.
The Minister said the situation has now been brought largely under control, adding that the government was deeply concerned by the incident.
He further clarified that the violence was a clash between two groups of inmates and not a confrontation between inmates and prison officers.
Police said the unrest initially erupted yesterday (05) between remand prisoners and convicted inmates. Although the situation was temporarily contained, tensions flared again this morning, leading to further violence inside the prison.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
