COLOMBO ; A protest staged by three inmates on the roof of the kitchen building at Mahara Prison on August 1 rapidly escalated into a major disturbance that resulted in extensive property damage, the death of one inmate, and injuries to eight others, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said.
According to the Minister, the unrest began at approximately 3.45 p.m. when three inmates climbed onto the kitchen roof and launched a protest. The Superintendent of Mahara Prison held discussions with the inmates for around 15 minutes in an effort to defuse the situation, but no agreement was reached.
The situation intensified when nearly 1,000 inmates from various prison wards reportedly gathered at the location and began shouting slogans. As prison authorities found themselves unable to control the crowd, officers withdrew to the main entrance and secured the prison’s iron gate.
By then, the situation had escalated into a riot, with inmates allegedly pelting stones towards the main gate and nearby houses outside the prison compound. Authorities subsequently attempted to bring the situation under control using tear gas and rubber bullets.
The Minister said inmates had already set fire to and destroyed the Chief Jailer’s Office and the Discipline Division by that stage. Police, the Special Task Force and the Army were later deployed to strengthen security around the prison premises.
The unrest further escalated when the prison industries section and the main kitchen were also set ablaze and destroyed. Stone-throwing incidents towards nearby residences reportedly continued from the night of August 1 until the morning of August 2.
At around 7.00 a.m. on August 2, prison officers, together with the Police and Special Task Force, entered the prison compound, secured all inmates inside their wards and brought the situation fully under control.
One inmate died and eight others were injured and hospitalized during the incident, while no prison officers suffered fatalities or injuries.
Nanayakkara stated that the Mahara incident differed significantly from the recent unrest reported at Negombo Prison, which was linked to a clash between rival inmate groups connected to drug and organized crime activities. He noted that the Mahara disturbance appeared to have been directed against the prison administration itself.
The Minister said authorities remain unable to identify the immediate trigger for the unrest and described it as unusual that a protest involving only a few inmates rapidly attracted nearly 1,000 prisoners.
He further pointed out that the nature of the destruction raised serious concerns, noting that inmates had set fire to facilities essential to their own daily welfare, including the kitchen, service facilities, medical access points and administrative offices.
According to the Minister, preliminary observations suggest the possibility of an organized attempt to cripple the functioning of Mahara Prison. Authorities are also investigating whether any external influence or intervention may have contributed to the unrest.
Police and judicial officials have already visited the scene, while assessments are underway to determine the full extent of the losses caused by the rioting and arson attacks.
Despite the damage, prison authorities have continued to provide food and essential services to inmates by obtaining support and resources from other correctional facilities.
Nanayakkara said investigations would continue and warned that action would be taken against any individuals found to have conspired to instigate or facilitate the unrest.
He also stressed that the destruction involved property funded through taxpayers’ money and that rebuilding the damaged facilities would place an additional burden on the public.
The Minister appealed to the families of inmates to encourage their relatives not to engage in such actions, noting that the government is already working to expedite Government Analyst reports and improve conditions and services available to inmates.
He confirmed that the situation at Mahara Prison has now been brought completely under control.
Meanwhile, a committee appointed by the Cabinet and chaired by the Minister is continuing its work with the participation of government officials, police representatives, the Government Analyst’s Department and legal authorities to examine prison overcrowding, expedite reports and strengthen security.
The Minister also revealed that authorities are closely monitoring whether similar disturbances could spread to other prisons. Instructions have already been issued to prison superintendents across the country to maintain heightened vigilance, while information relating to two or three other prisons has been forwarded to senior prison officials for further assessment.
He added that authorities are strengthening coordination mechanisms to respond swiftly to any emerging threat and are taking all possible measures to minimize casualties, maintain security and ensure the stability of the country’s prison system- .news first
