This video screenshot shows police personnel standing guard at the front gate of the prison where unrest erupted in Negombo, Sri Lanka, on July 6, 2026. The death toll from a prison unrest in Negombo, Sri Lanka, has risen to 25, with at least 100 individuals injured, police said on Monday. (Photo: Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a prison unrest in Negombo, Sri Lanka, has risen to 25, with at least 100 individuals injured, police said on Monday.

Among the deceased, five are reportedly prison officials and 20 are prison inmates.

It has been reported that steps are being taken to transfer inmates from the Negombo Prison to other prisons in an effort to defuse the situation.

The unrest initially occurred on Sunday at around 1 p.m. when two groups of inmates clashed with each other. The situation was brought under control by Sunday night. However, violence broke out again on Monday morning.