Three prisoners were killed and at least 23 others injured in separate riots at two prisons, authorities said on Friday, as unrest continued across the country’s severely overcrowded correctional system. Police and special forces were deployed to restore order and reinforce security at the affected facilities.

One inmate was killed and 10 others were injured after violence erupted late on Thursday at New Magazine Prison in Colombo. A separate riot at Kuruwita Prison, about 80 kilometres from the capital, left two prisoners dead and 14 injured, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament.

Unrest was also reported at an open prison in Negombo, around 40 kilometres from Colombo, where police used tear gas to disperse protesting inmates. Heavy police contingents and riot-control units were stationed at all three facilities, while prisoners who had climbed onto rooftops or entered open areas were returned to their wards.

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Wijepala said authorities had brought the disturbances under control and there were no immediate security concerns. However, he told lawmakers that the series of incidents appeared potentially coordinated and could involve an attempt at sabotage. He added that officials would draw conclusions only after completing a comprehensive investigation.

Sri Lanka’s prison network holds more than 41,000 inmates despite having an intended capacity of approximately 11,000 across 22 facilities. More than three-quarters of those incarcerated are remand prisoners awaiting trial, with many detained in cases involving narcotics. The overcrowding has placed sustained pressure on prison infrastructure, security and basic services.

The latest violence follows several deadly incidents, including two days of fighting at a Negombo prison in early July that killed 10 officials and 20 inmates. Another prisoner died during unrest at Mahara Prison last weekend. Sri Lanka is also considering extending the tenure of superior court judges by two years to help address a backlog of over one million cases and reduce prolonged pre-trial detention.

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