A new prison is set to be established in the Mahamodara area of Galle, according to an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara.
The gazette notification was issued under the powers granted to the Minister by Section 2 of the Prisons Ordinance (Chapter 54).
According to the notification, the facility will be established as the “Mahamodara Prison”, with its jurisdiction covering the entire country.
The order was signed by Minister Harshana Nanayakkara in Colombo on July 07, 2026.
When inquired by Ada Derana, a spokesman at the Ministry of Justice stated that the new prison is expected to operate on a temporary basis in a section of the closed Mahamodara Hospital premises.
Meanwhile, an inmate who was transferred to the Boossa Prison following the unrest at the Negombo Prison has died after being admitted to the Galle National Hospital due to a sudden illness.
Prisons Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said the inmate passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, senior officers from all prisons across the country have been summoned for a special meeting scheduled for 7:30 a.m. today (08).
Moreover, addressing Parliament on the situation at the Negombo Prison, the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara said discussions would focus on the clash at the facility and the steps required to prevent similar incidents at other prisons.
A total of 1,033 inmates held at the Negombo Prison have since been transferred to other prisons.
Among those transferred was Katuwellegama Suresh, who is alleged to have played a leading role in the unrest, and he has been moved to the Boossa Prison.
The prison clash resulted in 27 deaths, including seven officers attached to the Prison Special Tactical Unit.
A total of 20 inmates were killed in the incident, while nearly 100 others were injured. Hospital sources said 20 of the injured remain in critical condition.
Security authorities have uncovered several key details regarding the unrest at Negombo Prison. Prison sources said some inmates involved in the clash had thrown large rocks at the heads of certain prison officers during the incident.
