• Intel received on possible ‘wave’ of violent disturbances in 2-3 other prisons
• Cabinet committee to examine broader systemic reforms
• Harshana alleges organised conspiratorial sabotage by inmates at Mahara
• Immediate trigger of unrest yet unidentified
• Probes ongoing into any ‘external influence-orchestration’

Information has been received regarding possible disturbances at two or three more prisons, and the Prison authorities have been instructed to remain on high alert and take all necessary preventive measures, Justice Minister, Harshana Nanayakkara said.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday (4), he said the Justice Ministry had already alerted Prison officials after concerns emerged that the recent Prison violence (in Negombo and Mahara) could spread to other prisons. "There is a suspicion that this could spread as a wave. We have instructed all prison superintendents to pay special attention where necessary."

Nanayakkara said that information relating to two or three other prisons had already been passed on to senior officials of the Prisons Department. "We have received certain information regarding two or three other prisons. We have conveyed that information to the heads of the Department. We are putting in place the necessary measures to suppress any situation that may arise," he said.

He also revealed that the Cabinet of Ministers had appointed a committee chaired by him to examine broader reforms to the prison system. "The committee includes Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala as well as representatives from the Police, the Government Analyst’s (GA) Department and the Attorney General's Department. We are preparing a report focusing on reducing prison overcrowding, expediting GA reports and strengthening security within prisons." The committee also includes Ministry Secretaries.

Meanwhile, the violence that erupted at the Mahara Prison on 1 August appears to have been a deliberate attempt to cripple the operations of the Prison, although the immediate trigger for the unrest has yet to be identified, Nanayakkara said. He said that investigators are still attempting to establish what led to the incident, noting that the scale and nature of the violence had raised suspicions of possible external involvement.

"We haven’t yet been able to identify the immediate reason that led to this situation. It’s not unusual for three or four inmates to gather when two prisoners climb onto a roof and protest. Even 10 or 15 people turning up wouldn’t be surprising. But, the question is how nearly 1,000 inmates gathered at once." He said that the incident began at around 3.45 p.m. on 1 August when three inmates climbed onto the roof of the Prison Kitchen and staged a protest. "The Prison Superintendent then went to the location and held discussions with the inmates for around 15 minutes in an attempt to defuse the situation, but, the talks failed to reach an agreement. After that, around 1,000 inmates from the wards gathered at the same location and began shouting loudly. Prison officials were then forced to retreat and lock an iron gate as the situation escalated into a riot."

He said that inmates then began pelting stones towards the Prison's main entrance and outside the Prison premises. As the Prison authorities struggled to regain control, he said that the Prison officers used tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowd. "By that time, the Chief Jailer’s Office and the Disciplinary Division had already been set on fire and destroyed by the inmates. The Police, the Special Task Force (STF) and the Army were subsequently deployed to strengthen security around the Prison. However, the violence continued, and the inmates later set fire to the Prison's Industrial Section and Kitchen."

Speaking further, Nanayakkara said that inmates continued to hurl stones towards the main entrance and over the Prison wall from the night of 1 August until the morning of 2 August. "At around 7 a.m. on 2 August, Prison officers, together with Police and STF personnel, entered the Prison, secured all inmates inside their wards and brought the situation under control. One inmate was killed and eight others were injured and admitted to hospital. No Prison officers sustained injuries."

He added that the Mahara incident differed significantly from the recent violence at the Negombo Prison. "The Negombo incident was a clash between two groups of inmates over narcotics. Here, the confrontation was between inmates and the Prison administration. Disagreements between prison authorities and inmates occur from time to time and are generally resolved through discussions. However, an organised destruction like this is unprecedented. They burned the Kitchen where their food is prepared, the place where they eat, the Medical Facilities and Administrative Offices. That suggests that there was an intention to carry out an organised act of sabotage."

He said that the relevant institutions are also examining whether outside parties had influenced or orchestrated the unrest. "Looking at everything that happened afterwards, we have reason to suspect that there may have been external involvement. We are investigating that possibility. Police and a Magistrate have already visited the Prison, and officials are assessing the full extent of the damage. Meals for inmates are currently being prepared at other prisons and taken to the Mahara Prison. If investigations reveal that conspirators were involved, we will not hesitate to take action against them."

He said that the involvement of nearly 1,000 inmates in coordinated acts of arson had raised suspicions of an organised conspiracy.

Violence broke out at the Mahara Prison on 1 August after a protest by inmates escalated into a large-scale disturbance that resulted in extensive damage to Prison buildings, including Administrative Offices, the Industrial Section and the Kitchen. Security forces were deployed to assist the Prison authorities in restoring order. 

Sri Lanka's prison system has long faced challenges including severe overcrowding, staffing shortages and delays in judicial proceedings. One of the major issues has been delays in GA reports, which have contributed to prolonged remand periods for suspects, particularly those related to drug-related offences.