A group of inmates from Negombo Prison has been transferred to the Bogambara Open Air Prison in Pallekele, Kandy, following escalating violence inside the facility.The transfer comes after a clash between two groups of inmates at the Negombo Prison, prompting authorities to move a section of prisoners to another correctional facility as a security measure.

Police said the confrontation occurred between remand prisoners and convicted inmates held at the prison.Meanwhile, the death toll from the incident has risen to 26.Justice Minister Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, speaking to the media, said seven prison officers were among those killed in the unrest.