The July unrest at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka has caused property damage worth more than 100 million Sri Lankan rupees ($299,000), the country’s Department of Prisons said on Monday.

Clashes between two groups of inmates at Negombo Prison on July 5 caused extensive damage to prison property and inmate registration records.

A total of 32 people died and more than 100 others were injured in the unrest. Following the unrest in Negombo, the country saw several other riots in the following weeks.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a special meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on August 7 to review prison security and inmate safety.

Officials have decided to establish a joint mechanism involving prison authorities, police, the special task force and, when necessary, the armed forces to cover all 33 prisons and coordinate responses to inmate welfare issues and emergencies.

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report