A violent clash between two groups of inmates at the Negombo Prison yesterday afternoon (6) left two inmates dead, with police revealing that the dispute arose over the betrayal of information regarding a drug trafficking operation.

Prison officials and police took steps to admit 34 inmates to the Negombo District General Hospital due to the unrest that erupted within the prison.

Police stated that two of the hospitalised individuals passed away, while two other inmates in critical condition were transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment.

Police investigations revealed that a group of inmates broke into the prison's pharmaceutical store and office during the clash and consumed painkillers kept there.

Police also said that the suspects broke the padlocks of the prison office and damaged the equipment inside.

While a group of male inmates conducted a massive protest after climbing onto the roof of the prison building, the roof suddenly collapsed, injuring several inmates who were on it, who were also hospitalised.

To control the situation, the Police, the Police Special Task Force, and the Riot Control Unit were immediately deployed to the prison premises to beef up security, and prison officials stated that the internal control of the prison returned to a peaceful state with the assistance of the inmates.

Police further mentioned that a drug trafficker named Suresh Pushpakumara, who maintains links with the organised criminal gang member known as "Buru Moona", led the clash.