Sri Lanka prison riot kills 23, wounds more than 100

A violent clash between inmates from two drug gangs at a Sri Lankan prison resulted in the deaths of 23 people, including six guards, and left more than 100 injured. The overnight fighting at Negombo Prison, north of the capital Colombo, led to victims sustaining cuts and gunshot wounds.

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There are some victims with gunshot injuries, some with cuts and severe bruises. We transfered 18 of the more seriously wounded to the Colombo National hospital.

Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath confirmed 23 bodies at the state-run facility and reported over 100 wounded inmates and guards. "We transfered 18 of the more seriously wounded to the Colombo National hospital," Gamlath told AFP.

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Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara expressed deep shock and grief over the incident, calling it the country's deadliest prison riot in years. He stated that authorities are focused on separating the rival gangs, emphasizing that the inmates' affiliations are secondary to the immediate need for order. "Whether they were inmates, or associated with the underworld, is not relevant to us at this moment," Nanayakkara told reporters.

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Whether they were inmates, or associated with the underworld, is not relevant to us at this moment.