A violent incident at Mahara Prison resulted in one inmate's death and multiple injuries after tensions escalated into a fire that damaged prison facilities. Security forces have been deployed to restore order.
Serious unrest erupted at the Mahara Prison on November 1st, leaving one inmate dead and at least six others injured. Seven individuals were transported to Ragama Teaching Hospital following the incident, with one casualty confirmed among them. Police spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler indicated that the violent altercation initially involved a group of drug-dependent inmates before the situation deteriorated.
During the disturbance, a significant fire broke out within the prison complex, with prison sources reporting that inmates set fires to the office of the Chief Jailer and the Disciplinary Division. The blaze caused injuries among both inmates and staff members. Reports also indicate that some inmates managed to access the facility's roof as the chaos unfolded, though the exact sequence of events remains unclear.
Security response was swift, with Police Special Task Force personnel and additional police officers deployed both inside and outside the prison to restore order. Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that the Commissioner General of Prisons and senior officials were dispatched to manage the crisis. The Prisons Department mobilized additional officers to regain control of the facility.
The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute between inmates and prison officers. Notably, relatives of inmates who had arrived for visits that afternoon were prevented from entering the prison, and some later reported hearing gunshots from within the complex. The Prisons Department has not yet issued an official comprehensive statement regarding the incident.
