Crisis in Sri Lanka's Prisons: A Pattern of Neglect The recent deadly riot at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka has highlighted the country's long standing crisis of chronically overcrowded and understaffed prisons.
The violence, which claimed 28 lives and left over 100 injured, is a manifestation of years of neglect and complacency. Sri Lanka's prisons operate at roughly four times their intended capacity.
Official figures suggest that this overcrowding is not limited to one or two facilities but is a systemic issue across the country.