Sri Lanka Prison Riots

By Kaiden Tran, Features Editor

ERANGA JAYAWARDENA/AP Photo

On Sunday, Nov. 30, a riot broke out in the Mahara Prison Complex located in Sri Lanka killing eight inmates and injuring more than 50 men, including prisoners and prison guards on the scene. The riot was due to the increasing concern among the prisoners regarding the COVID-19 outbreaks as incoming prisoners infected with the virus were being transferred to the Mahara facility.

In Sri Lankan prisons, more than a thousand inmates were tested positive for the virus as well as 50 confirmed cases among the prison guards. It is known that two guards have died from the virus.

The riots began with prisoners protesting for separation between non-infected and infected inmates. The situation escalated when multiple prisoners attempted to take control of the prison as well as hundreds of convicts trying to break out, resulting in the injury of others. These actions led to the injury of two of the prison guards. The riots in the prison ended with most of the property being destroyed.

“The unrest situation turned into a prison riot,” police officer Ajith Rohana said, “[The detainees] reportedly destroyed most of the property, including offices inside the prison.”

These riots left some prisoners brutally injured. Injured inmates were immediately transported to the nearby Ragama Hospital.

“A majority of prisoners injured in the Mahara jail clashes were in critical condition,” Ragama Hospital director Shelton Perera said.

The prisons in Sri Lanka are facing crowding issues due to their small capacities. Prisons are holding around 26,000 prisoners, yet have a maximum capacity of about 10,000.

As the riots were taking place, additional police backup came for the prison guards. Hundreds of policemen were deployed to the prison to help contain the fuss occurring inside. As the prisoners refused to stop their riots, the guards were forced to pull out their weaponry to control the crowd. Concerned families awaited the end of the action at the entrance of the prison.

“I want to know whether he is safe. I asked the officers, please tell me the condition of my son,” mother of an inmate, Sujeewa Silva said.

The riots ended soon after with multiple confirmed deaths of prisoners and many in critical condition.