Sri Lanka deploys troops to quell deadly prison riot

Hundreds of troops and elite commandos were deployed in Sri Lanka on Sunday to regain control of Mahara Prison following a riot that erupted on Saturday, leaving one inmate dead and six others wounded. The situation at the overcrowded facility, located just outside the capital Colombo, was brought under control after inmates destroyed several buildings.

"We got reinforcements from the armed forces and the Special Task Force commandos to restore order and send the inmates back to their cells," Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sanjeewa Medawatte told reporters outside the prison. The unrest saw inmates completely destroy the prison's kitchen, hospital, a newly built rehabilitation building, and vocational training facilities.

The prison currently holds 4,100 inmates, a figure that is about four times its intended capacity. This severe overcrowding is a common problem across Sri Lanka's jail system. The latest incident at Mahara Prison is not isolated; in November 2020, a riot at the same facility resulted in the deaths of 11 inmates and injuries to nearly 120 others. Furthermore, just last month, another prison riot in the same region claimed the lives of 10 guards and 21 inmates.

Authorities have acknowledged the crisis and announced plans last month to convert disused state buildings into prisons to alleviate the pressure. A significant portion of the inmate population, over three-quarters, are remand prisoners awaiting trial, with most incarcerated in connection with drug offenses.

“

We got reinforcements from the armed forces and the Special Task Force commandos to restore order and send the inmates back to their cells.