It is reported that a very risky situation has been created in the prison system due to the heavy overcrowding in prisons across the island.
The unrest that began in Negombo Prison also spread to Mahara, Colombo Magazine, Pallansena and Kuruwita prisons, and a significant number of people were killed.
At the time of the riot in Negombo Prison, it is reported that 3,400 prisoners were being held in Welikada Prison, which can hold only 839 prisoners, 2,782 in the Colombo Remand Prison, which can hold 328, and 3,046 in the Magazine Prison, which can hold 499.
At that time, the number of detainees and detainees in the Negombo prison was 496, but it is reported that 2,403 were being held there. This is five times the capacity.
According to the Ministry of Justice, 90% of those imprisoned as of December 31, 2025, were suspects. This situation is also due to the continued remand of a large number of people due to the incompleteness of the analyst’s reports and police investigations.