Tragic Negombo Prison Clash Leaves 2 Dead, 35 Injured Over Drug Dispute

A violent clash between rival inmate groups at the Negombo Prison yesterday resulted in two fatalities and injuries to 35 others, triggering widespread unrest and rooftop protests. • Casualties & Medical Status: Two inmates succumbed to injuries at the Negombo General Hospital. Out of the 35 injured, two critically wounded prisoners have been transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo for specialized treatment. • Root Cause: Police investigations reveal the confrontation was sparked by a dispute over the exposure of an internal drug trafficking operation. The violence was allegedly orchestrated by a drug trafficker with ties to an organized crime figure. • Escalation: Inmates forced open high-security cells to assault rivals, while another group raided the prison dispensary to consume large quantities of painkillers. Both male and female inmates subsequently staged rooftop protests. • Security Response: The Police, Special Task Force (STF), and riot control units deployed a major security operation to restore order. Security personnel remain stationed at the facility, which currently houses nearly 1,800 inmates, as investigations continue.