By The Pulseline News Desk
A violent disturbance inside Mahara Prison last Saturday (1) has once again placed Sri Lanka’s prison system under intense scrutiny, after one inmate was killed, several others were injured, and multiple prison facilities were extensively damaged during unrest that erupted on Saturday.
The incident, which unfolded amid growing tension inside the prison, prompted a major security operation involving prison officers, Police, the Special Task Force (STF), and the Armed Forces, while anxious relatives gathered outside the prison and at Ragama Hospital seeking information about their loved ones.
Unrest escalates into violence
According to prison sources, the unrest began when relatives arrived at Mahara Prison to inquire about the welfare of inmates.
During the ensuing commotion, a group of inmates allegedly began pelting stones from inside the prison, escalating tensions with prison authorities. Officials said some inmates also attempted to escape by breaking through a temporary structure under construction within the prison premises.
Prison officers reportedly opened fire near the prison entrance in an attempt to bring the situation under control. Several inmates sustained injuries and were admitted to Ragama Hospital, where one inmate later died from injuries sustained during the incident.
Meanwhile, another group of inmates allegedly set fire to parts of the prison complex, further intensifying the chaos.
Extensive damage
The Department of Prisons said the disturbance caused widespread destruction across the prison.
Among the facilities damaged were the rehabilitation division, visitors’ area, prison hospital, kitchen, industrial section and several prison buildings.
The full extent of the financial loss has yet to be assessed, while authorities continue to inspect the damaged infrastructure.
Inmates transferred
Following the unrest, prison authorities have begun relocating inmates from Mahara Prison to other correctional facilities as part of efforts to restore order and ease security concerns.
The Department of Prisons confirmed that over 100 inmates had already been transferred to other prisons, with additional transfers expected in the coming days if necessary.
Officials said the relocations are being carried out in response to the damage caused during the disturbance and to facilitate security operations inside the prison.
Heavy security deployment
Security remains tight in and around Mahara Prison, with Police, STF personnel, and Army and Navy troops deployed to prevent any further incidents.
Relatives of inmates continued to gather outside the prison and at Ragama Hospital, demanding information about the condition and whereabouts of those detained inside the facility.
Questions remain
Authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive official account explaining what triggered the violence, the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting, or the sequence of events that led to the destruction inside the prison.
The incident is likely to reignite concerns over overcrowding, prison management, and the use of force during disturbances inside Sri Lanka’s correctional facilities.
With one inmate dead, dozens affected by the unrest, and significant damage to prison infrastructure, pressure is expected to mount on the Government to conduct a transparent investigation into the incident while addressing the longstanding structural problems facing the country’s prison system.
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