Sri Lanka's Justice Minister has suggested that outside groups may have orchestrated the recent unrest at Mahara Prison, distinguishing it from an earlier incident at Negombo Prison.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has raised concerns about potential external involvement in the disturbances that occurred at Mahara Prison, suggesting the incident differs markedly from unrest previously reported at Negombo Prison. According to the Minister, the Negombo incident stemmed from conflicts between inmates themselves, whereas the Mahara disturbance involved direct confrontation between prisoners and prison staff.
Nanayakkara indicated that authorities suspect organized coordination from outside the prison system may have played a role in instigating the unrest. He stated that such incidents typically do not occur without underlying causes and that investigations would be conducted to determine whether external parties had involvement in the disturbances.
Regarding contributing factors to prison unrest more broadly, the Justice Minister acknowledged that overcrowding remains a significant issue within correctional facilities. However, he noted that prison overcrowding predates the current administration and emphasized that the government is implementing measures to alleviate this problem.
The Minister announced that a formal investigation would be launched into property damage sustained during the Mahara Prison unrest, with assurances that those found responsible would face strict disciplinary action. The comments came during remarks to media representatives on the afternoon of the 2nd.
