Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara says investigations are underway to determine whether an organised external intervention contributed to the unrest at Mahara Prison, while acknowledging that overcrowding in prisons may have also played a role.
Commenting on the incident, the Minister said available information indicates that the conflict was mainly between inmates and prison authorities.
However, he noted that the government is closely examining whether any external parties had influenced or attempted to escalate the violence.
The Minister stated that ongoing anti-drug operations have significantly restricted the flow of drugs into prisons and that this could also be one of the factors behind the unrest.
While acknowledging prison overcrowding as a serious issue, he stressed that it was not the sole reason behind such incidents.
He further stated that the government is working on legal reforms to increase prison capacity, reduce delays in forensic reports, and expedite bail procedures related to certain drug-related charges.
The Minister revealed that nearly 23,000 inmates are currently imprisoned due to drug-related offences and emphasized that the drug issue cannot be solved through law enforcement measures alone.
He said reducing demand for drugs requires a broader social approach, as drug use has become deeply rooted among certain sections of society.
The Minister also revealed that inmates suspected of involvement in the Mahara Prison unrest have been transferred to other prisons.
Authorities are continuing investigations into whether there was any organised attempt from outside the prison to direct or fuel the violence.
