Sri Lankan Army Takes Control of Restless Prison

Sri Lanka deployed hundreds of soldiers and elite police units today to contain riots that broke out inside a crowded prison near the capital, Colombo, leaving one inmate dead and six others injured.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjiva Medawatte, in statements quoted by AFP today, said the situation was under control after inmates at Maharaja Prison destroyed several buildings within the facility yesterday. He added, “We have received reinforcements from the armed forces and special task forces to restore order and return the prisoners to their cells.”

The same prison witnessed riots in November 2020, during which 11 inmates were shot dead and around 120 others were injured. The latest disturbances come less than a month after similar riots at a prison in the region, which resulted in the deaths of 10 guards and 21 inmates.