Sri Lanka prison riot kills 23, injures over 100

Deadly clashes between inmates at a prison in Sri Lanka have killed at least 23 people and injured more than 100 others, officials said Monday, marking the country's deadliest prison riot in over five years. The violence erupted Sunday evening at Negombo prison, located north of the capital Colombo, and continued into Monday morning.

Officials said the fighting was between inmates from two rival drug gangs. A police official stated that four prison guards were killed while attempting to break up the rioting. Hospital director Pushpa Gamlath confirmed that 23 bodies were at the state-run Negombo hospital, with more than 100 wounded inmates and guards admitted for treatment. She reported that victims suffered from gunshot injuries, cuts, and severe bruises.

Police commandos were called to the scene but were not deployed inside the facility. Authorities deployed drones and a helicopter to monitor the area as large crowds of inmates' relatives gathered outside the prison gates. Local residents reported hearing gunshots during the unrest.

The disturbance also affected an adjoining section housing female inmates. Police said some women climbed onto a roof to demand their release, and...