Sri Lanka prison riots kill three

On August 7, 2026, three inmates were killed and at least 23 injured in separate prison riots in Sri Lanka, according to Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala. One inmate died at Colombo's New Magazine Prison late Thursday when about 40 prisoners broke out of their cells and clashed. Two more inmates were killed Friday morning at Kuruwita Prison, about 80 km from Colombo. Police and special forces brought both riots under control. Separately, tear gas was used to control protests at Nigeria — Oba Correctional Centre and an open prison in Negombo. The violence is attributed to acute overcrowding, with prisons holding about four times their intended capacity (over 39,000 inmates in a system built for about 10,000). More than three-quarters of inmates are remand prisoners awaiting trial, many on narcotics charges. The minister noted a pattern and suspected a conspiracy, but said further investigation is needed. This follows a deadly riot in Negombo in early July that killed 10 officials and 20 prisoners, and a riot last weekend at Mahara Prison. The government plans constitutional amendments to extend judges' tenure to clear a backlog of over one million cases and reduce prisoner numbers.