A confrontation between rival inmate groups at Borella's New Magazine Prison resulted in one death and multiple injuries after authorities seized a drug parcel, with investigators now examining the incident.
A fatal clash erupted at the New Magazine Prison in Borella on the evening of June 6th, leaving one inmate dead and ten others requiring medical attention. The Prisons Department reported that the unrest began when officers discovered and confiscated a parcel containing heroin that had been thrown into the prison from outside the facility.
Following the seizure, tensions escalated when a group of inmates allegedly made threats toward prison staff. This prompted approximately 45 inmates to break out of their cell and move into the prison grounds. According to police, many of those involved were associates of an organised criminal network member referred to as "Kos Malli". Prison officials intervened as the group attempted to advance toward the prison gate, leading to a violent confrontation between rival inmate factions.
The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Mohamed Asman Sherifdeen from Katuwana, Homagama. Prison authorities noted he faced multiple serious charges, including involvement in several murders and alleged work as a contract shooter for organised criminal figure "Homagama Handaya". Several cases against him were pending in courts across Galle, Ampara, Negombo, and Homagama. The ten injured inmates received treatment at the prison hospital.
In response to the incident, the Prisons Department transferred nine inmates allegedly involved in orchestrating the unrest to another facility and launched a special investigation into the circumstances surrounding the clash.
