The Government has established a committee headed by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to investigate the Mahara Prison unrest, with officials alleging the violence was part of a coordinated sabotage operation rather than a spontaneous incident.
A high-level investigative committee has been established to examine the recent unrest at Mahara Prison and determine whether the violence was part of an organised attempt to destabilise the prison network. Led by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, the committee includes Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, senior ministry officials, and representatives from the Police, Government Analyst's Department, and Attorney General's Department.
Making a parliamentary statement, Nanayakkara characterised the Mahara Prison riots as fundamentally different from concurrent unrest at Negombo Prison. While authorities identified the Negombo incident as stemming from an inmate dispute over drugs, investigations into Mahara have revealed no clear triggering cause. The Minister emphasised that nearly one thousand inmates participated in the Mahara violence simultaneously, suggesting coordination rather than spontaneous action. He alleged the scale and nature of destruction indicated deliberate sabotage aimed at damaging prison infrastructure.
The committee has been tasked with investigating potential conspirators, addressing prison overcrowding, accelerating Government Analyst reports, and strengthening security protocols. Nanayakkara stated that authorities had received intelligence warnings of similar incidents potentially occurring in two or three other prisons, and that security measures had already been reinforced across facilities. He stressed that prison infrastructure damaged during the riots was constructed with public funds and would require taxpayer money to rebuild, appealing to inmate families to discourage violent behaviour.
The Government has committed to improving prison facilities and warned that inmates participating in violence risked forfeiting welfare benefits. Authorities stated they have established coordination mechanisms to manage any emerging situations and minimise loss of life.
