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Sri Lankan authorities have stepped up security measures at prisons across the country after a violent riot at Mahara Prison left one person dead and six others injured. The latest unrest has once again highlighted the serious overcrowding and growing pressure within the country’s prison system. The violence broke out on Saturday at Mahara Prison, located about 15 kilometres from the capital Colombo. According to police sources, the disturbance began during family visiting hours when a group of inmates climbed onto rooftops, set fire to a building inside the prison compound and damaged several facilities. The unrest also resulted in the destruction of documents kept in administrative offices, while parts of the prison hospital, training centre and kitchen suffered extensive damage. Law enforcement agencies, supported by the military and other security personnel, were deployed to regain control of the situation. Officials said the operation successfully ended the riot and prevented further violence from spreading within the prison. The Sri Lankan Air Force also assisted by deploying helicopters and drones to monitor the prison complex during the emergency. The incident has renewed concerns about the country’s overcrowded prisons. Mahara Prison currently holds around 4,100 inmates despite having space for only about one quarter of that number. Similar conditions exist throughout Sri Lanka’s prison network, where more than 41,000 convicted prisoners are housed in 22 facilities built to accommodate only around 11,000 inmates. In addition to convicted prisoners, thousands of remand prisoners awaiting trial are also being held in these facilities, adding to the strain on available space and resources. The latest violence comes only weeks after another deadly prison clash in the coastal town of Negombo. In early July, fighting between rival inmate groups resulted in the deaths of 10 prison officials and 20 prisoners over two days. Authorities described that incident as the country’s worst prison violence since 2012, prompting the deployment of police special forces, the military and navy to restore order. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sajeewa Medawatta said security has now been increased at major prisons across the country, particularly those located near Colombo, including Negombo Prison. He said officials have transferred inmates back to their cells and are ensuring they receive food and water as normal while security operations continue. According to Medawatta, the combined efforts of police, military and prison authorities were crucial in bringing the Mahara situation under control. Outside the prison, dozens of worried relatives gathered on Saturday evening seeking information about family members inside. Police established security cordons to prevent crowds from approaching the prison during the operation. To maintain public order, authorities also imposed a temporary curfew in three nearby villages. The restrictions remained in place overnight before being lifted by midday on Sunday after officials confirmed the situation had stabilised. The repeated outbreaks of violence have intensified calls for reforms within Sri Lanka’s prison system. Human rights groups and legal experts have long warned that severe overcrowding, ageing infrastructure and limited resources have created dangerous conditions that increase the risk of unrest. The latest incident has added further pressure on the government to address these long standing challenges while ensuring the safety of both prison staff and inmates.

Sri Lanka is preparing for a prolonged period of extreme weather as authorities warn that the return of the El Nino climate pattern could bring a severe drought followed by widespread flooding later this year. The government has begun taking precautionary measures to protect water supplies, agriculture, and vulnerable communities as changing weather conditions threaten to affect millions of people across the island. Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi said the country is expected to face a significant dry spell lasting until the end of September. Officials are closely monitoring irrigation systems and drinking water reserves to ensure supplies remain available during the expected drought. The government has also urged the public to use water carefully, warning that shortages could develop over the coming months if dry conditions continue. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events to climate change. They say El Nino, a natural climate pattern caused by warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, disrupts global rainfall and wind patterns. These changes often bring drought to some regions while causing heavy rainfall and flooding in others. Sri Lankan authorities expect the current dry period to be followed by a stronger than usual northeast monsoon beginning in October. The minister warned that the seasonal rains could trigger widespread flooding in many parts of the country, creating additional risks for communities already dealing with water shortages. To reduce the impact on agriculture, the government has advised farmers to begin the main rice planting season about two weeks earlier than usual. Officials believe an earlier start to cultivation will allow crops to develop before heavy rainfall increases the risk of flooding. Authorities are also planning improved flood management measures to help protect farmland and reduce damage to the country’s most important food crop. The government has not yet released an estimate of the possible economic losses from this year’s El Nino conditions. However, a special ministerial task force has been established to coordinate preparations, manage emergency responses, and reduce the impact on agriculture, water resources, and public infrastructure. Officials said Sri Lanka’s hydroelectric reservoirs are currently operating at around 57 percent capacity. To conserve water, authorities plan to rely more heavily on solar power during daylight hours, reducing pressure on hydroelectric facilities and preserving reservoir levels for essential needs. Experts have also warned that intense rainfall later in the year could trigger landslides in the country’s mountainous regions. Many of these areas remain vulnerable after suffering significant damage during Cyclone Ditwah in November, when heavy rain caused widespread destruction across the island. Cyclone Ditwah affected nearly every part of Sri Lanka and left a lasting impact on the country’s population of around 22 million people. Nearly 650 people lost their lives during the disaster, while roads, bridges, public buildings, and other infrastructure suffered extensive damage. The World Bank estimated that infrastructure losses alone reached about 4.1 billion dollars, making it one of the country’s most costly natural disasters in recent years. With another period of extreme weather approaching, the government says early preparation will be essential to reduce risks and protect lives. Authorities are continuing to monitor weather forecasts while encouraging communities to conserve water, prepare for possible floods, and follow official guidance throughout the changing weather conditions. The coming months are expected to test Sri Lanka’s disaster response systems once again as the country faces the combined challenges of drought, flooding, and the broader effects of climate change.

US health authorities have expanded their investigation into a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis after new infections were identified in four additional states. The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms. Officials from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are continuing efforts to determine the full extent of the outbreak and trace all affected products. According to the FDA, confirmed outbreak-related cases have now been reported in nine states including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Health officials said nearly 2,000 people have become infected with the cyclospora parasite after being exposed to food served at Taco Bell restaurants. So far, at least 98 people have required hospital treatment, although no deaths have been reported. The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify additional cases that may be connected to the contaminated lettuce. Oklahoma’s health department said it is cooperating with federal officials to determine whether more illnesses reported in the state are linked to the outbreak. Cyclosporiasis cases have been recorded in at least 41 states across the country this year. However, investigators say not every infection is connected to the current outbreak. Health officials are still examining which cases are directly linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell locations. Several states have already completed preliminary reviews and found no evidence connecting their reported cases to the nationwide outbreak. Health departments in Nebraska, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Maryland said investigations have not identified a link between local infections and the recalled lettuce. Officials stressed that cyclospora infections can result from exposure to a variety of contaminated fresh produce, making each case important to investigate separately. In New Hampshire, health authorities confirmed nine infections associated with recalled Taylor Farms lettuce that had been served in the cafeteria at Cheshire Medical Center. Officials are continuing to investigate whether additional illnesses reported in the area are related to the same source. Oregon health officials also reported two infections believed to be connected to the ongoing outbreak. Both individuals had recently traveled to states included in the nationwide recall and were believed to have consumed pre-shredded lettuce associated with the investigation. North Carolina has also seen an increase in cyclosporiasis cases this year, but state health officials said the available evidence does not suggest those infections are related to the Taco Bell outbreak. Instead, investigators found that patients had commonly consumed fresh herbs such as parsley and cilantro along with lettuce, indicating different sources of exposure may be responsible. Michigan remains the state reporting the highest number of suspected infections. State officials said more than 8,000 probable cases of the intestinal illness have now been identified, with hundreds of additional cases reported within a single day. Investigators continue to monitor the situation closely as new reports are received. The outbreak prompted Taylor Farms to announce a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17. The recall covers products sold in grocery stores, supplied to restaurants and distributed to food service businesses across the United States. Federal health officials continue to advise consumers, restaurants and retailers not to use or serve any products included in the recall until the investigation is complete. An industry source familiar with the matter said Taylor Farms has temporarily suspended operations at the processing facility in central Mexico that US health authorities have linked to the outbreak. Officials hope the closure, combined with the product recall and continued public health monitoring, will help prevent additional infections while investigators work to identify the exact source of the contamination.