Pallansena prison protest escalates in Negombo as police fire tear gas after inmates climb onto the roof amid wider prison unrest.
Police fired tear gas during the Pallansena prison protest at the Pallansena Open-Air Correctional Centre in Dalupotha, Negombo, after inmates climbed onto the roof amid renewed unrest across Sri Lanka’s prison system.
The disturbance began on Friday, August 7, when a group of inmates moved onto the roof of the facility. Police confirmed that prisoners were protesting as authorities strengthened security around the correctional centre.
Tensions later escalated after inmates reportedly threw stones at prison officers. Police then fired tear gas in an effort to bring the situation under control.
Police officers, the Police Special Task Force, the Police Riot Control Unit and Sri Lanka Air Force personnel deployed around the facility. Authorities moved to prevent the unrest from spreading further.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries at Pallansena after the tear gas deployment. The exact reason behind the rooftop protest has not been publicly confirmed.
Pallansena Prison Protest Comes Amid Wider Unrest
The Pallansena prison protest unfolded during an unusually volatile period for Sri Lanka’s prison system.
One inmate died during unrest at Colombo’s Magazine Prison on August 6. Two others died after clashes at Kuruwita Prison the following morning. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said 23 inmates were injured across those two incidents.
Wijepala told Parliament that violence at the other prisons was linked to narcotics dealers and rival criminal gangs.
Reports have also cited authorities as examining whether the series of prison disturbances may have involved organised or coordinated activity. However, the precise trigger at Pallansena remains unclear.
The latest disturbances have also renewed concerns over severe overcrowding inside Sri Lanka’s prisons.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has said the prison population exceeds 39,000 inmates, although the system has capacity for only around 10,000 people.
Prisoners’ rights advocates say overcrowding, trial delays and the large number of suspects held over narcotics-related offences have placed growing pressure on detention facilities.
Questions Remain After Negombo Prison Violence
The Pallansena unrest comes only weeks after the deadly July 6 clash at Negombo Prison, where at least 26 people, including seven prison officers, were killed.
Authorities have not yet announced whether inmates involved in the Pallansena prison protest will face charges or disciplinary action.
What we know so far is that inmates climbed onto the roof, stones were reportedly thrown at officers, police deployed tear gas and multiple security units responded. No casualties were initially reported at Pallansena, while the exact cause of the protest remains under investigation.
