**Families Mourn 26 Killed in Deadly Sri Lanka Prison Riot**
In a tragic incident that has shocked the nation, 26 individuals, including seven prison officials and 19 inmates, lost their lives during a violent riot at the Negombo prison in Sri Lanka. The unrest, which unfolded over two days, has been described as the worst prison riot in years, prompting widespread grief among families and the community.
Dularika Perera, a 38-year-old woman from Colombo, discovered that her cousin was among the deceased when a photo was sent to her via WhatsApp. Clad in white and accompanied by her four-year-old son, Perera was among the many grieving relatives who gathered at the Welikada Prison in Colombo on Wednesday morning, awaiting the return of the bodies of the fallen prison officials.
Sergeant S.D.S Abeywardana, 41, a veteran of the Sri Lankan navy who had dedicated the last several years to a special unit within the prison department, was one of the officials killed during the riot. This unit is tasked with addressing corruption, drug trafficking, and misconduct within the prison system. Abeywardana was part of a contingent of 120 officers dispatched to the Negombo facility when the clashes erupted on Sunday and escalated into a deadly confrontation by Monday.
The violence reportedly began when a small group of inmates disclosed information about attempts to smuggle drugs into the prison, leading to a confrontation with prison officials. The inmates, armed with bricks and clubs, attacked the officers as they tried to prevent an escape, resulting in the tragic deaths of Abeywardana and six of his colleagues.
Perera expressed her disbelief and sorrow, stating, “When I heard about the clash, I thought he’s only hospitalised, he will come home. I never dreamt this would happen.” She added that Abeywardana was not only a family member but also a figure of support and care, leaving behind a five-year-old daughter and an eight-month-old son.
Following a postmortem examination in Negombo, the bodies of the seven officials were covered with the Sri Lankan flag and escorted by police to the Welikada prison, where they were handed over to their grieving families. Outside the prison gates, white flags fluttered as dozens of officials paid their last respects to their fallen colleagues.
The Negombo prison, which was originally designed to hold approximately 650 inmates, currently houses around 2,400 individuals, leading to severe overcrowding. This situation has been identified as a contributing factor to the unrest within the facility. The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners has previously highlighted issues related to overcrowding and violence in Sri Lankan prisons.
Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara addressed the parliament on Tuesday, providing insights into the initial investigations surrounding the riot. He confirmed that the conflict was ignited by the leak of information regarding drug smuggling, which escalated tensions between inmates and prison officials.
This incident adds to a troubling history of prison violence in Sri Lanka. Previous riots, including a significant outbreak in November 2020 that resulted in the deaths of 11 inmates and another in 2012 that claimed 27 lives, have raised concerns about the safety and conditions within the country’s correctional facilities.
As families continue to mourn their loved ones, the government faces increasing pressure to address the underlying issues contributing to prison violence, including overcrowding and inadequate resources. The loss of life in this recent tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform in the Sri Lankan prison system to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of both inmates and prison staff.