A riot began at the Negombo prison when inmates behaved violently, assaulted prison officers, and held them hostage as around ten officers entered to retrieve detainees, according to investigations by the Negombo Headquarters Police.

Prison Superintendent Gajanayake granted a request by approximately 50 inmates to meet their relatives, and police sources state that the officers were taken hostage when they went inside the prison following this decision.

Gunshots were heard from inside the prison where the inmates were held as prison officers and Police Special Task Force personnel worked together to rescue the captive officers.

An exchange of fire took place between the officers and the inmates when Police Special Task Force personnel and prison officers forced open the main gate to enter, resulting in injuries to both sides.

Seven prison officers and 17 inmates who sustained severe injuries were confirmed dead upon arrival at the Negombo Base Hospital after the situation was brought under control and the wounded were evacuated.

Two more inmates died later on.

Sixteen out of the 24 injured prison officers received treatment at the Negombo Hospital, whilst eight individuals in critical condition were transferred to the Colombo National Hospital, and 50 out of the 61 injured inmates remain at the Negombo Hospital, while the remaining 11 were sent to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment.

A full investigation into how the inmates obtained weapons and opened fire commenced under the direction of Assistant Superintendent of Police R M G G Ratnayake, who oversees Negombo District One, on the instructions of the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Negombo Division.