August 04, Colombo (LNW): Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has informed Parliament that preliminary findings indicate the recent unrest at Mahara Prison was not a spontaneous disturbance but an organised act of sabotage aimed at disrupting the prison’s operations.
Delivering a special statement in the House today (04), the Minister said the scale and nature of the destruction suggested that those involved had intentionally targeted key administrative and operational facilities within the prison.
He noted that inmates set fire to several essential buildings, including the prison kitchen, cafeteria, infirmary and administrative offices, among them the office of the Chief Jailor.
“The damage caused points to a deliberate plan. Incidents of this nature have not been witnessed before, and there are clear indications that this was a coordinated attempt to undermine the administration of Mahara Prison,” the Minister said.
Outlining the sequence of events, Nanayakkara explained that the incident began on August 01 when three inmates climbed onto the roof of the prison and launched a protest. After approximately 15 minutes of unsuccessful negotiations, the situation escalated rapidly as nearly 1,000 inmates joined the demonstration, triggering a large-scale riot.
As the unrest intensified, inmates hurled stones at the prison’s main entrance, prompting authorities to respond with rubber bullets and tear gas in an effort to regain control. By that stage, significant damage had already been caused to several sections of the prison.
The Minister said prison officials, supported by the Police Special Task Force (STF), succeeded in restoring order on August 02, with all inmates eventually returned to their cells. The incident claimed the life of one prisoner, while eight others sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital. He added that no prison officers were killed or injured during the operation.
Drawing a comparison with the recent disturbance at Negombo Prison, Nanayakkara said the two incidents differed considerably. While the unrest in Negombo largely involved clashes among inmates, the violence at Mahara was directed specifically against the prison administration and its infrastructure.
He also questioned how such a large number of prisoners had been able to mobilise within a short period, suggesting that investigators were examining whether outside influence or prior planning had contributed to the incident.
“The objective appears to have been to render Mahara Prison incapable of functioning. Investigations are continuing, and if those responsible for organising or facilitating this incident are identified, firm legal action will be taken against them,” the Minister said.
Nanayakkara assured Parliament that the situation at Mahara Prison has now been fully brought under control. He added that discussions are underway on additional security and management measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring at other correctional facilities across the country.