Mahara Prison unrest causes over Rs. 150 million in damage

Damage caused during the unrest at Mahara Prison is estimated to exceed Rs. 150 million, according to preliminary reports.

The Department of Prisons has launched an investigation into the cause of the disturbance, which damaged several buildings and large quantities of state property.

Roof tiles and other parts of prison buildings were destroyed, while equipment used in vocational rehabilitation programmes, including sewing activities, was also damaged.

The unrest continued for more than 13 hours, with inmates allegedly throwing stones from inside the prison until midnight. Several nearby houses also sustained damage.

Preliminary police investigations identified four inmates, known by the aliases “Saathan”, “Asaar” and “Petta”, among those suspected of leading the unrest.

The Prison Department transferred 104 inmates believed to have participated in the disturbance to seven other facilities, including Boossa Prison.

The unrest began at about 4 p.m. on Saturday at Mahara Prison, which holds more than 4,100 inmates, and security forces brought the situation under control at about 6 a.m. on Sunday.

One inmate died and nine others suffered injuries.

Reports suggested that tensions may have arisen after prison authorities intensified measures to prevent the circulation of narcotics inside the facility.

Four inmates reportedly climbed onto the prison roof on Saturday morning to protest against the administration. When a senior prison official arrived to speak with them, inmates allegedly threw stones at the officer.

Prison officers later withdrew after securing medicines from the prison hospital, sharp instruments from the kitchen and firearms from the armoury.

During the unrest, about 1,500 inmates allegedly attempted to escape by damaging a section of a wall under construction. Prison officers opened fire to prevent the escape attempt.

Another group reportedly set fire to a prison building. Some inmates also allegedly entered a facility where confiscated narcotics were stored and consumed the drugs.

Inmates broke the locks of several wards, allowing prisoners to leave their cells. Those who refused to join the unrest were allegedly assaulted.

Seven injured inmates were admitted to the Ragama Teaching Hospital, where one later died. Police identified the deceased as a 33-year-old resident of Hendala, Wattala, who had been remanded over allegations of motorcycle theft and possession of 20 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Mahara unrest differed from the recent violence at Negombo Prison.

He said the Negombo incident involved clashes among inmates, while the Mahara unrest involved a confrontation between prisoners and prison authorities.

Nanayakkara said authorities were also investigating whether outside groups had coordinated unrest inside prisons.

He acknowledged that overcrowding could contribute to instability in prisons but said the problem predated the current Government and that measures were being introduced to address it.

The Minister said authorities would investigate the destruction of public property and take strict action against those responsible.