28 Pallansena inmates with minor injuries admitted to Welikada prison hospital

The turbulent situations that arose within the Negombo-Pallansena, Kuruwita, and Magazine prisons within 12 hours are now controlled.

Three individuals died, and more than 50 people have sustained injuries due to the clash so far.

Meanwhile, a discussion was also held today regarding the deployment of the tri-forces and police to tighten the security of all prisons.

An unrest first arose in the Borella New Magazine Prison last night (06), and one person died while 11 people sustained injuries during the situation.

Subsequently, another unrest broke out at the Kuruwita Prison this morning, claiming the lives of two inmates. Another 15 people sustained injuries and were admitted to the Ratnapura General Hospital.

Teams of police, the Police Special Task Force, and tri-forces personnel were called to the location last night to ensure the security of the New Magazine Prison, as well as at the Kuruwita Prison this morning.

A unrest initially broke out within the Kuruwita Prison last night. An inmate of the prison attempted to escape from it, and prison officers apprehended him at that moment. In such a background, it was reported that a violent situation broke out again when taking inmates out of the cells for breakfast this morning. Gunfire and tear gas attacks were also launched this morning to control the situation.

Furthermore, the relevant situation arose after two groups of inmates detained in the E ward of the Magazine Prison came out of the ward simultaneously last night and behaved violently. Investigations into the scene revealed that an issue related to narcotics led to the violence. Reports also appeared that this situation was one that arose between the followers of 'Kos Malli' and 'Samantha', who are alleged organised criminals and drug traffickers.

Subsequently, during the morning hours today, inmates at the Pallansena Prison also climbed onto a roof and commenced a protest, and it later developed into a clash. Afterwards, the police launched several tear gas attacks to control the situation. The police, the Police Special Task Force, the riot control unit, and the Air Force were also deployed at that moment.

The request of the inmates engaged in the protest was to provide bail through a judicial process by expediting the process and provide adequate sanitary facilities to the prison.

As the unrest developed, certain inmates damaged the security walls of the prison, breaking concrete pieces and launching attacks outside. Steps were taken to disperse them using tear gas after a group of inmates subsequently gathered near the main gate and attempted to break it down and escape.

Subsequently, several inmates involved in the clash were transferred to prisons, the Department of Prisons informed. Furthermore, about 28 inmates who sustained minor injuries have been referred to the prison hospital located in Welikada as of now.

The Department of Prisons took steps to tighten the security of the Anuradhapura, Badulla, Jaffna, Dumbara, Batticaloa, and Polonnaruwa prisons, curtailing clashes that arose in these prisons.