Sri Lanka deploys troops to contain growing prison unrest
Protesting inmates at the Pallansena open prison seen from outside during a standoff with their guards on Aug. 7, 2026. (AFP)
Sri Lanka deployed troops to its main maximum-security prison in Colombo and two other jails on Aug. 7, following unsuccessful breakout attempts in which three inmates were killed and 23 wounded, a government minister said.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said an inmate was killed and 10 others wounded after guards thwarted an attempt by about 40 convicts to escape from Colombo's maximum-security Welikada Prison on Aug. 6 night.
Sri Lankan jails have been hit by a spate of unrest in recent weeks, with 10 guards and 23 inmates killed in two separate riots at two other prisons outside Colombo since last month.
