The unrest that erupted at Mahara Prison has now reportedly been brought under control following a large-scale security operation involving multiple law enforcement and military units.
The incident began on the evening of August 1 after a dispute broke out between inmates and prison officers, escalating into a tense confrontation within the prison premises.
According to reports, seven inmates sustained injuries during the unrest and were admitted to the Ragama Teaching Hospital for treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that one of the injured inmates later succumbed to his injuries.
To restore order, authorities deployed personnel from the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force (STF), the Sri Lanka Army, and the Sri Lanka Police. The Sri Lanka Air Force also supported the operation by deploying a Bell 412 helicopter and drones to monitor the situation from the air.
Reports indicate that inmates set fire to the office of the Chief Jailer as well as the prison's disciplinary division during the disturbance, causing property damage within the facility.
Security forces have since regained control of the prison, and the situation is reported to be stable. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the unrest and assess the full extent of the damage.
