According to the department, urgent restoration work is already underway to return the prison to normal operations. A large number of inmates have been temporarily transferred to other prisons across the country while repairs are carried out.
The incident occurred at a time when the government has been implementing several measures to address severe overcrowding in prisons nationwide. Authorities stated that the unrest was triggered by inmates involved in drug-related offences.
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara announced that Bogambara Prison and Mahamodara Prison will once again be used as temporary detention facilities as part of the government's strategy to ease congestion in the prison system.
The government has already taken a number of initiatives to reduce overcrowding. Four two-storey buildings completed at Pallansena Prison in 2025 are now being used to accommodate inmates. Temporary prison buildings constructed with inmate labour at Welikada Magazine Prison and Colombo Remand Prison, which began in 2025, are currently nearing completion.
At Wataraka Prison, two new buildings are being constructed using prefabricated technology at an estimated cost of Rs. 446.9 million. An additional project valued at Rs. 100 million commenced in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2027.
The government has also allocated Rs. 100 million to demolish two obsolete two-storey buildings at Kalutara Prison and replace them with new facilities. Construction work is continuing at Pallekele Prison, with completion scheduled for 2028.
Plans are also underway to relocate Matara Prison to the Kotawila Watta area, with construction expected to begin in 2027. In addition, the former Mahamodara Hospital in Galle and the Paragammana Industrial Warehouse in Kegalle are being prepared for use as temporary prisons.
The second phase of development at Wataraka Prison is expected to begin next year. The government is also finalising plans and cost estimates for relocating the Colombo Prison Complex to Millewa, Horana.
