At least 25 killed, 100 injured after deadly prisoners’ clash in Sri Lanka

WEB DESK: At least 25 people were killed and around 100 others injured after clashes erupted between two groups of prisoners at a prison in Sri Lanka on Monday, according to police and hospital sources.

The violence began on Sunday at the prison in the coastal town of Negombo, about 35 kilometres north of Colombo, involving convicted inmates and prisoners under detention.

The cause of the clashes is not yet known.

Police said officials are continuing clearance operations inside the prison to account for the dead and injured.

Army spokesperson Brigadier Waruna Gamage said the military has been asked to support police but remains on standby.

Television footage showed a heavy police presence outside the prison, while a police bus carrying injured inmates, some lying on the floor, was seen leaving the facility.