The problem in Mahara arose with the chief jailer, who is the brother of cricketer Isuru Udana.

The unrest that occurred within Mahara Prison has now been brought under control, and its security has been fully assured by the prison authorities and other security forces. The Special Task Force, Police, and Prison Control Authority have jointly taken complete internal control of the prison by morning, and the fire engines and ambulances that were called to the location the previous night have also left the premises.

Mahara Prison, which houses over four thousand inmates, is older and has a larger capacity than Negombo Prison, thus its administration is somewhat complex.

It is reported that during this conflict, the office of the Chief Jailer of the prison was set on fire and completely destroyed. This Chief Jailer, named Gayan, who is the brother of cricketer Isuru Udana, is an officer who was transferred to Mahara Prison on the same day after the unrest at Negombo Prison. He is known as an officer who maintained a strict regime free from corruption and bribery among both officers and inmates, and it is speculated that the protest against this administration may have led to this arson.

There is also information that a group of inmates attempted to escape by removing a sheet of metal installed in a section of the prison wall that was under repair. Although a mobile security vehicle was deployed daily for security, it is not yet clear whether this escape attempt occurred before or after the riot. Information has been received that this unrest began on Saturday afternoon when a group of inmates' relatives came to visit them, and stones were thrown from inside the prison outwards.

In this incident, one inmate died and seven others were injured, and specific information regarding injuries to prison officers has not yet been revealed. It is believed that the pressure caused by drug trafficking and anti-underworld operations directly contributed to this situation, which started in Negombo Prison and spread to Mahara. The government should focus on accelerating bail procedures to reduce the severe overcrowding caused by various groups clashing and an excessive number of people being remanded for minor offenses.