COLOMBO (News 1st); Less than 24 hours after authorities moved to contain a disturbance at Colombo Magazine Prison, a far more serious incident unfolded at Kuruwita Prison, leaving two inmates dead and 11 others injured.
The unrest began on Thursday (6) night at Colombo Magazine Prison, where tensions reportedly erupted between groups of inmates from two prison wards. Information emerging from the investigation suggests that the confrontation may have been linked to an attempt by inmates to obtain a parcel of narcotics allegedly thrown into the prison premises.
According to the Department of Prisons, around 50 inmates engaged in disorderly behaviour near one of the prison gates during the disturbance. Inmates also caused damage to property within one of the prison buildings.
Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Hemantha Prasad stated that several computers and other equipment were damaged during the unrest.
Eleven inmates sustained injuries and were admitted to the prison hospital for treatment.
As tensions escalated, Police, the Police Riot Control Unit and the Special Task Force (STF) were deployed to bring the situation under control.
By Friday morning, prison authorities confirmed that order had been restored at Magazine Prison. The Department of Prisons also revealed that nine inmates had been transferred to Boossa Prison following the incident, while Police and STF personnel remain deployed outside the facility to maintain security.
However, hours after calm returned to Magazine Prison, another disturbance broke out at Kuruwita Prison.
The unrest, which erupted on Friday morning, turned deadly, with two inmates losing their lives during the incident.
Police said 11 injured inmates were admitted to Ratnapura Hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, security around Kuruwita Prison was strengthened, with Police and Special Task Force personnel deployed outside the prison premises.
