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Sri Lanka deploys army to quell prison riots after inmates destroy buildings
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Crime & Justice

Sri Lanka deploys army to quell prison riots after inmates destroy buildings

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The army was deployed to quell riots at the Mahara prison near Colombo, Sri Lanka, after inmates destroyed several buildings.
  • Prison officials reported that the kitchen, hospital, a rehabilitation building, and vocational training facilities were completely destroyed.
  • The prison holds 4,100 inmates, nearly four times its capacity, a problem affecting all Sri Lankan prisons, with many inmates awaiting trial for drug-related offenses.

The Mahara prison near Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, descended into chaos as inmates rioted, destroying multiple facilities. The army was called in to restore order after prisoners demolished the prison's kitchen, hospital, a newly built rehabilitation center, and vocational training facilities.

This latest unrest follows similar incidents in the region. In November 2020, riots at the same prison resulted in 11 inmate deaths and nearly 120 injuries. Just last month, another riot in the same region claimed the lives of 10 guards and 21 inmates.

The Mahara prison is severely overcrowded, housing 4,100 inmates, which is almost four times its intended capacity. This issue is widespread across Sri Lanka's prison system. In response to the overcrowding, authorities announced plans last month to convert unused state buildings into prisons. A significant portion of the prison population, over three-quarters, are awaiting trial, with many facing charges related to drug offenses.

We received reinforcements from the armed forces and members of the Special Task Force to restore order and return the prisoners to their cells.

— Sanjeewa MedawatteDeputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeewa Medawatte speaking to journalists near the prison.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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