COLOMBO (News1st): One inmate has died and six others remain hospitalized following a violent unrest that broke out inside the Mahara Prison complex.
According to Police Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler, Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel alongside police officers were swiftly dispatched to the scene to restore order after tensions escalated within the facility.
Five inmates were initially rushed to the Ragama Teaching Hospital with severe injuries, where one later succumbed to their wounds.
Police suspect the violent altercation erupted among a group of drug-dependent inmates before spiraling out of control.
Confirming the incident, Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, stated that a fire broke out inside the prison compound during the unrest.
Tensions escalated further as several inmates managed to climb onto the facility's roof while chaos unfolded below.
"The Commissioner General of Prisons and key officials have been dispatched to the location to take all necessary measures to bring the situation under control," Minister Nanayakkara said.
