Unrest at several prisons under control

The unrest that erupted at the Negombo, Pallansena, Kuruwita, and Magazine prisons is now completely under control. The Department of Prisons announced this development.

The Police Special Task Force and the tri-forces are deployed to ensure security at the Kuruwita and Pallansena prisons. Prisons Spokesperson, Prisons Commissioner A. C. Gajanayake stated this.

Three individuals died and over 50 others sustained injuries during these clashes.

A clash first broke out at the Borella New Magazine Prison on the night of the day before yesterday (6), leaving one person dead and 11 others injured.

The deceased person is a 35-year-old identified as Mohamed Asman Sheriffdeen, a resident of the Katuwana area in Homagama.

He faced accusations in several killings, including a double murder on Watarappala Road in Mt. Lavinia and a double murder in Negombo.

This suspect, who allegedly acted as the contract shooter for the alleged organised criminal gang member known as 'Homagama Handaya', faced pending cases in several courts, including Galle, Ampara, Negombo, and Homagama.

Subsequently, a clash broke out among inmates at the Kuruwita Prison yesterday morning (7), which is also now under control.

Two inmates died during that incident.

Furthermore, 15 others sustained injuries and were admitted to the Ratnapura General Hospital.

Later yesterday morning, inmates at the Pallansena Prison in Dalupotha, Negombo climbed onto a roof and launched a protest, which subsequently escalated into a clash.

Police fired several tear gas canisters to control them.

The Police, Police Special Task Force, Riot Control Unit, and the Air Force were called to the scene at the time.

The Department of Prisons took steps to transfer several inmates involved in the clash to other prisons.

Additionally, around 28 inmates who sustained minor injuries are transferred to the Prison Hospital in Welikada.

Meanwhile, a special discussion chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took place yesterday afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat to review the situation in prisons and the measures taken for the security of prison inmates.

A decision was made during the meeting to establish a joint mechanism next week involving prison officials, police, the Police Special Task Force, and the tri-forces where necessary, covering all 33 prisons in the country.