Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has called on the government to address what he described as deep-rooted problems within the country’s prison system, arguing that the recent unrest at Mahara Prison reflects broader institutional failures rather than an isolated incident.
In a post shared on X, Rajapaksa said the disturbance at Mahara was the second major prison-related incident in recent weeks, highlighting what he described as poor administration, negligence and mounting pressure on the prison system.
Prison reform
He said the latest unrest should be viewed as evidence of a wider crisis, adding that weak leadership and years of deterioration have left the prison system struggling to cope, according to a report by Daily Mirror.
Rajapaksa also questioned why the Department of Prisons continues to operate without a permanently appointed Commissioner General despite the ongoing challenges, asking why the key leadership position has yet to be filled.
While acknowledging that deploying additional security personnel may temporarily restore order, he argued that such measures fail to address the underlying issues affecting prisons.
According to Rajapaksa, long-standing concerns including overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, limited healthcare services and the absence of effective rehabilitation programmes that require immediate government attention to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Mahara prison riot
The local authorities said that one inmate died while six others were reported hurt in the incident.
Deputy police inspector-general Sanjeewa Medawatte confirmed that they had to deploy additional troops to contain the situation.
Aside from the casualties, the riot destroyed the prison kitchen, the hospital, a newly built rehabilitation building, and vocational training facilities.
About 4,100 inmates reside at the Mahara Prison, exceeding the facility’s sustainable capacity.
The government previously expressed an intention to renovate the prison to address the issue.
In December 2020, a riot also erupted at the same prison, killing 11 inmates and wounding another 117. The incident prompted the government to release several inmates to temporarily address the overcrowding issue.
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