Measles outbreak spreads through Colombo's three major prisons

The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) has formally notified Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa of a measles outbreak affecting detainees at Welikada, Magazine, and Colombo Remand Prisons. CPRP spokesperson Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera warned that the contagion is spreading rapidly through the prison population, raising urgent public health concerns.

The rights group has referenced findings from the Auditor General's report as evidence of systemic medical negligence contributing to the outbreak. The reference suggests persistent failures in prison health protocols and sanitation standards that may have enabled the disease to take hold and spread among the confined population.

Measles, a highly contagious viral infection, poses particular risks in overcrowded institutional settings with limited medical resources. Prison environments typically lack adequate isolation facilities and preventive health measures, making rapid disease transmission common among inmates in close quarters.

The alert comes as Sri Lanka's health authorities face mounting pressure to address disease outbreaks in custodial facilities. Officials have not yet publicly commented on the outbreak or measures being implemented to contain the spread and provide treatment to affected prisoners.