Violence Erupts in Sri Lankan Prison, Resulting in 25 Deaths and Over 100 Injuries

Clashes erupted in a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 25 fatalities and more than 100 injuries, according to officials and local media reports. The unrest began on Sunday and continued into Monday, with both inmates and prison officials among the victims.

Prison spokesman A.C. Gajanayake stated that the violence started among inmates, escalating when guards attempted to intervene. Some inmates reportedly tried to escape but were apprehended. An official at the local hospital confirmed that over 100 individuals were admitted with injuries related to the incident, although specific details about the injuries were not disclosed. Sri Lankan prisons are currently facing severe overcrowding, housing over 39,000 inmates in facilities designed for just 10,000.