A significant fire erupted at Mahara Prison after tensions escalated between inmates and prison staff, leaving multiple people injured and prompting deployment of security forces to the facility.
A major fire broke out at Mahara Prison on the evening of January 1st following a reported dispute between inmates and prison officers. Multiple people, including prisoners, sustained injuries in the incident and were transported to Ragama Hospital for treatment. According to prison sources, the fire affected the Chief Jailer's office and the Disciplinary Division, though authorities moved quickly to contain the blaze.
The situation prompted a significant security response, with Sri Lanka Police deploying special teams to investigate the incident. Police Special Task Force personnel were stationed outside the prison perimeter, while additional prison officers were summoned to restore order within the facility. The Prisons Department stated that measures were being implemented to control the disturbance.
Relatives of inmates who had arrived at the prison for scheduled visits were denied entry and remained outside the premises during the incident. Some family members reported hearing gunshots emanating from inside the prison, though official confirmation of this has not been provided. The Prisons Department has not yet released a formal public statement detailing the circumstances or extent of the incident.
The exact cause of the initial tension and the total number of those injured remain unclear as authorities continue their investigation into the event.
