Sri Lanka prison riot linked to drug smuggling clash
By The BriefBrief
Sri Lanka’s justice minister said a prison riot killing 26 was triggered by an inmates’ clash over drug smuggling.
WHO:Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice and National Integration
WHAT:Said the prison riot was caused by a clash between inmate groups over drug smuggling, after officials intervened.
WHEN:Jul 7, 2026 at 9:07 AM ET
WHERE:Negombo, Sri Lanka
WHY:A clash began after some prisoners leaked information about efforts to smuggle drugs into the prison, angering another group that supported the smuggling.
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