Mahara Prison

Mahara Prison is a maximum security prison, and is one of the largest prisons in Sri Lanka. Situated in the old city of Mahara in the Western Province, it was built in 1875 by the British colonial government to ease the congestion at the Slave Island prison. It was used to house the prisoners employed in crushing stones at the Mahara quarry. Since its establishment, it has had a police post attached to it. The prison is administrated by the Department of Prisons.

Mahara Prison
General information
Town or cityMahara
CountrySri Lanka
Construction started1875
Completed1875
ClientBritish Government,
Sri Lankan Government

History

1902 prison break

There was a revolt at the quarry and an escape by 79 inmates around 2:00 pm on 28 June 1902. Prison officers on guard were assaulted and the revolver of the Deputy Jailor was seized by the riot leader. An army team, headed by Major Bishop and assisted by the Jailor, were able to take into custody 40 escapees from the neighborhood. This was the first and the biggest ever escape in the history of the Sri Lanka Prisons.

2020 prison riot
Main article: Mahara prison riot

A riot broke out in the facility on 30 November 2020, resulting in the deaths of 8 prisoners. The riot occurred after rumors spread that other Sri Lankan prisons were transferring their prisoners infected with COVID-19 to Mahara.[1]

Famous inmates
  • Utuwankande Sura Saradiel - bandit turned Freedom fighter, the Robin Hood of Sri Lanka
  • Maradankadawala Yakadaya
  • Navarian alias Fancis Fernando
  • Cutex Piyadasa
  • Keragala Siresana alias cheena
  • Watareka Jayasundara
  • Gampaha Munidasa

References
  1. Reuters, Story by. "Sri Lanka coronavirus prison riot leaves eight dead, over 50 wounded". CNN. Retrieved 2020-11-30.

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