斯里兰卡周四至周五连续发生三起独立的监狱暴力事件，造成3名狱中死亡、超过20人受伤[1]。其中，科伦坡杂志监狱于周四晚间发生冲突，导致1人死亡，约40名囚犯越狱[1]；库鲁维塔监狱于周五上午发生事件，造成2人死亡[1]；帕兰塞纳惩教中心则因骚乱被警方使用催泪瓦斯控制[1]。前两起冲突中共有23名狱中受伤并被送往医院救治[1]。
这些暴力事件与毒品贩运和犯罪帮派活动相关，反映出斯里兰卡监狱系统面临的严重拥挤问题[1]。据官方数据，斯里兰卡监狱目前收押超过39000名狱中，而系统总容量仅为10000人[1]。监狱主任哈尔沙纳·纳纳亚卡拉在议会发言中指出："斯里兰卡今天的监狱人数是容量的四倍"[1]。此前，7月6日内戈博监狱曾发生更严重的冲突，造成至少26人死亡，其中包括7名狱中官员[1]。
Sri Lanka experienced three distinct prison disturbances between Thursday and Friday that resulted in three inmate fatalities and injured more than 20 others.[1] One inmate died Thursday evening at the Colombo Magazine Prison following clashes that erupted after approximately 40 prisoners escaped, while two inmates were killed Friday morning at Kurunegala Prison.[1] A third facility, the Pallansena Correctional Centre, saw authorities deploy tear gas to quell rioting.[1] The violence stemmed from issues related to drug trafficking and criminal gangs.[1]
The incidents underscore the severe overcrowding crisis afflicting Sri Lanka's correctional system.[1] The country currently houses over 39,000 inmates in facilities designed for a capacity of just 10,000, according to prison authorities.[1] In parliamentary remarks, Prison Commissioner Harshana Nanayakkara stated that "Sri Lanka's prisons today are four times over capacity."[1] Across the two deadliest incidents, 23 inmates sustained injuries requiring medical treatment.[1]
The clashes represent the latest in a series of violent episodes within the system.[1] On July 6, a conflict at Negombo Prison claimed at least 26 lives, including seven prison officials.[1]