Mass Prison Riot at Negombo in Sri Lanka Leaves 26 Dead, Over 100 Injured

Two days of violence at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka left 26 dead (including seven guards) and more than 100 injured as rival inmate groups clashed, guards' firearms were seized, and inmates—along with women from an adjoining unit—rooftopped the facility demanding release. On Monday, inmates reportedly tried to breach the gates, prompting security forces to respond with gunfire; a roof collapse also injured women. Officials said the clash was triggered by a dispute over an inmate who informed on a drug-trafficking operation inside the prison. At least 23 officers and 54 inmates remained in hospital, with some bullet wounds and other serious injuries reported.